The 49ers’ strong offseason has expectations rising for a club that had a disappointing 2020 campaign. Bet MGM released win totals for the 2021 NFL season, and despite coming off a 6-10 season, San Francisco’s number is set at 10 wins – which is tied for the second-highest mark in the division.
It’s not a huge surprise to see the 49ers’ total up among the potential division winners. Their 2020 season was marred by injury issues that never relented across the 17-week slate. Even without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and star edge rusher Nick Bosa, they were 6-10 and in enough games that they could’ve conceivably reached the 9 or 10 win mark.
The initial total is set to get equal action on both the over and under, so the interesting thing to watch will be how the number fluctuates throughout the offseason. They could see some action based on who they pick No. 3 overall, and whether they trade Jimmy Garoppolo.
Right now though the number indicates they should at least compete for a division title this year. The Rams are tied with them at a 10-win over/under. The Seahawks are at 9.5 and the Cardinals are at 8.
Part of the reason the numbers are so high is because of the added 17th game, but still, 10 or 11 wins figures to get a team into the postseason and perhaps a division crown.
One thing is certain though. Regardless of how the 49ers’ win total fluctuates, they’ll need to go over that initial number of 10 if they want to secure a first-round bye like they did in 2019.