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San Francisco 49ers have eye on Super Bowl: Win total examined for 2014 season

John Benson

by John Benson in News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:40 AM PST

After going to three straight NFC Championship games, while winning one, the San Francisco 49ers are focused on maintaining its high level of play. The spark behind the team’s success is Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, who inspires his squad to greatness.

If you’re looking for keys to success for the 49ers, it’s simple: control the clock with a strong run game coupled with a strong defense. Invariably, the offense’s success is predicated on running the ball, in which last season it ranked 3rd in the league compared to 30th in passing. The defense is the real key ranking 7th against the pass and 4th against the rush.

So the real question is whether the team can maintain this recipe. However, a quick look at the team’s recent draft shows Harbaugh and company remain focused; The team’s first round pick was safety Jimmy Ward, followed by power rusher Carlos Hyde in the second round and center Marcus Martin in the third round.

Looking to this season, the 49ers face seven playoff teams with an overall schedule featuring opponents boasting a .563 winning percentage last year (the 4th toughest in the league). Furthermore, the 49ers will be playing three sets of back-to-back road games.

Oddsmakers have the 49ers posted at 10.5 (over -120) for o/u wins. If San Francisco played in any other division, the over would be a given. However, the NFC West is a grind with the reigning Super Bowl winner Seattle Seahawks and the vastly underrated Arizona Cardinals. Perhaps the smart play is to take the under here, conceding the 49ers will be in play for a wild card birth.

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