4 days Ago
Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers are the NFL's definition of breadcrumbing. In the last five years, they suffered different types of gut-wrenching defeats in two Super Bowl and two NFC Championship Games, while also missing the playoffs entirely with a rash of injuries. Each season has ended in a different kind of pain - to the point where they are practically running out of creativity.
Think again. They have found a new way. This season has been a combination of flashes of elite play mixed with justifiable excuses and hope.
But the betting market has had enough and is finally done with the gaslighting. For the first time all season, the 49ers are now favored to miss the playoffs with -215 odds at FanDuel. San Francisco sits in a three-way tie for second place in the NFC West and one game back of first place.
This comes as the 49ers fell to 5-5, following yet another upset loss. In fact, they were favorites in all five of their losses - including by at least four points in four of them. The first four losses occurred without reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, causing many to project stronger performances with his return from injury.
Additionally, in Week 5 they blew a 23-10 halftime lead by not scoring in the second half due to kicker Jake Moody getting injured. Again, they are finding new ways to baffle bettors. © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Despite the mounting losses, the 49ers remained one of the Super Bowl favorites throughout the season - until now.
They are +2200 longshots at DraftKings, which means seven NFL teams have lower odds. Plus, after entering the season with -190 odds to win the NFC West and about -500 odds to make the playoffs, they now have +350 odds to win the division. The Super Bowl Hangover is not the Madden Video Game Curse.
After all, three teams have won the Super Bowl the season immediately after losing the big game. But 14 of the previous 35 Super Bowl losers have missed the playoffs entirely. And now San Francisco is favored to make it 15 of 36.
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