2010 San Francisco 49ers: Vegas Predictions and NFL Betting Odds

The San Francisco 49ers will open the 2010 season as a 21-1 choice at online sportsbooks to win the Super Bowl with an over/under win total of 9 UNDER (-130) in NFL Vegas predictions. After an 8-8 straight up season in NFL betting odds last year in the first full season of Mike Singletary as head coach and in a division that looks weak and ripe to be picked it’s easy to understand why the 49ers are such a popular choice in football betting and gaining respect in the NFL and with sports handicappers. San Francisco was one of the most profitable teams on the board last year with a mark of 9-4-3 against the spread in NFL betting odds.

The run and defense oriented 49ers were also a solid UNDER team in NFL odds as they went OVER the number just 5 times last year. 2005 number one draft pick Alex Smith picked up the pieces from what looked like a shattered career and re-established himself as the starter last year under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. Smith threw for 2,350 yards and had an 18/12 TD/INT ratio after taking over as starter during the season. Frank Gore is another key to the attack as the running back amassed 1,120 yards with a nice 4.9 yards per carry average with 10 touchdowns and caught 52 passes as well.

Michael Crabtree will be a key receiver as he signed late last year and missed early games but caught on quickly. The defense ranked 4th in points allowed as defensive coordinator Greg Manusky goes with a bend but don’t break approach. The 49ers ranked 5th in turnover margin last year. With Arizona having to replace retired quarterback Kurt Warner and with Seattle and St. Louis struggling this looks like the perfect year for the 49ers to return to the post season.