2020 NFL mock draft of Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, where Joe Burrow is expected to go No. 1.
The 2020 NFL draft is still more than a month away and NFL mock drafts fill the internet. So let’s add another one to the list of projections, possibilities and scenarios … with some expert analysis.
Here are my projections for the first round of the NFL Draft.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: LSU QB Joe Burrow
This pick is a lock. Cincinnati needs a franchise quarterback and Burrow was the best one in college this past season. Though so much of Burrow’s production came in one season, some analysts rank him above other quarterbacks to go No. 1 in recent history.
2. Washington Redskins: Ohio State EDGE Chase Young
The Redskins could surprise people and draft a quarterback despite having taken Dwayne Haskins in the first round last year. Such a decision proved to be the right one for the Arizona Cardinals a year ago. This time, however, the Redskins probably take Young, a dynamic pass rusher. The Cardinals were able to trade away Josh Rosen and hand the team to Kyler Murray last season. The Redskins aren’t comfortable they can do that with Tua Tagovailoa because injury concerns have his availability in 2020 in question.
3. Detroit Lions: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah
The Lions are looking to trade Darius Slay, their No. 1 cornerback. They have to replace him and Okudah fits the bill.
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4. New York Giants: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills
The Giants have their quarterback, running back and a promising young receiver. They don’t have good protection for that quarterback, Daniel Jones. They could go with Clemson do-it-all linebacker Isaiah Simmons here, but the defense needs more than just Simmons to make significant improvement. New York needs to protect Jones and the tackle talent at the top of the draft is fantastic. It thins out quickly so if they want a tackle to contribute, it has to be right here.
5. Miami Dolphins: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa
Miami has been waiting to make this pick for about a year. Now it will actually happen. And the Dolphins are prepared to sit Tagovailoa as they still have Ryan Fitzpatrick to start in 2020.
2020 NFL mock draft of Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, where Joe Burrow is expected to go No. 1
The NFL draft is still more than a month away and mock drafts fill the internet. So let’s add another one to the list of projections, possibilities and scenarios … with some expert analysis.
Here are my projections for the first round of the draft.
Get in on some 2020 NFL futures action by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.
Jason Getz – USA TODAY Sports
1. Cincinnati Bengals: LSU QB Joe Burrow
This pick is a lock. Cincinnati needs a franchise quarterback and Burrow was the best one in college this past season. Though so much of Burrow’s production came in one season, some analysts rank him above other quarterbacks to go No. 1 in recent history.
2. Washington Redskins: Ohio State EDGE Chase Young
The Redskins could surprise people and draft a quarterback despite having taken Dwayne Haskins in the first round last year. Such a decision proved to be the right one for the Arizona Cardinals a year ago. This time, however, the Redskins probably take Young, a dynamic pass rusher. The Cardinals were able to trade away Josh Rosen and hand the team to Kyler Murray last season. The Redskins aren’t comfortable they can do that with Tua Tagovailoa because injury concerns have his availability in 2020 in question.
3. Detroit Lions: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah
The Lions are looking to trade Darius Slay, their No. 1 cornerback. They have to replace him and Okudah fits the bill.
4. New York Giants: Alabama OT Jedrick Wills
The Giants have their quarterback, running back and a promising young receiver. They don’t have good protection for that quarterback, Daniel Jones. They could go with Clemson do-it-all linebacker Isaiah Simmons here, but the defense needs more than just Simmons to make significant improvement. New York needs to protect Jones and the tackle talent at the top of the draft is fantastic. It thins out quickly so if they want a tackle to contribute, it has to be right here.
5. Miami Dolphins: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa
Miami has been waiting to make this pick for about a year. Now it will actually happen. And the Dolphins are prepared to sit Tagovailoa as they still have Ryan Fitzpatrick to start in 2020.
Previewing Sunday’s NFL conference championship games between the Titans and Chiefs and the Packers and 49ers with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets
The Super Bowl dreams are still alive for four teams, and those four teams have one thing in common: the last time they stood this close to the Super Bowl, most players taking the field this weekend weren’t yet in the league — and in some cases, even alive. San Francisco’s last Super Bowl was in 2013. Green Bay’s was 2011. Tennessee’s was 2000. Kansas City’s was 1970 before the AFL and NFL merged.
Two of those franchises will end their drought. Our championship week prop bets look at a key player from each team and breaks down how each can make you a winner.
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Bo Knows Derrick
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has been close to unstoppable this postseason. (Photo credit: Jim Brown – USA TODAY Sports)
The number keeps getting higher on Derrick Henry’s rushing yards — currently at 106.5 with -112 on both the over and the under — and for good reason. He has rushed for 149 or more yards in six of his last eight games, including games of 211, 182 and 195 in his last three and 188 when he played Kansas City in November. In that game, even if you took out his 68-yard touchdown run, he still ran 22 times for 120 yards. The Titans have fed him the ball 30 or more times in each of the last three games against defenses viewed as being better than that of the Chiefs. Barring a 20-point deficit in the first half, he will keep getting the rock. TAKE THE OVER.
The Road Less Travis-ed
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had 3 touchdowns in a quarter last weekend. What will he do come Sunday? (Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports)
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is being given a pretty representative over/under number to get action on both sides at 78.5 yards (-112 on both the over and under). Since quarterback Patrick Mahomes returned from injury, Kelce has caught seven or more passes in six of eight games, including catching seven passes for 75 yards against the Titans in Week 10. Tennessee is likely going to double Tyreek Hill more often than not in an effort to prevent the huge play over the top. Enter Kelce and death by paper cut. By the time the Texans doubled Kelce in the second half of their game last week, it was too late. He caught 10 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. He likely won’t hit that number, but eight catches for 80+ yards isn’t out of the question. TAKE THE OVER.
The Adams Family
Aaron Rodgers (12) and Davante Adams are one football’s scariest hookups. (Photo credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports)
The Packers don’t hide the fact that Davante Adams is the main man in their pass offense — and whoever the No. 2 guy happens to be that week isn’t even close. He has a big over/under receiving yardage number of 84.5 (-112 on both), but there are two factors that come into play. Green Bay needed to win each of their last four games to hold their spot as the No. 2 seed in the NFC. In those games, Adams had yardage totals of 103, 116, 93 and 160. The case against Adams is that Richard Sherman will likely be chasing him around wherever he lines up come this Sunday. But if the 49ers open up a big lead (they’re favored by 7.5 points) Rodgers will have nothing to lose to keep throwing. Even if it covers in garbage time, that’s fine. TAKE THE OVER.
The World According to Jim
Considering the stakes, his opponent and a strong rushing attack behind him, will 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo be asked to do less Sunday? (Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez – USA TODAY Sports)
The over/under on passing yards for Jimmy Garoppolo is 248.5 (-112 on both). It’s a solid number because he has exceeded that number in five of his last 10 games — and finished with 248 in two others. But two things play in against him hitting the over. Green Bay’s pass rush won’t let him have all day to throw. They will dial up the heat and get the ball out of his hands. More importantly, the closer teams get to the Super Bowl, the more conservative most of them get. Last week, the three-headed 49ers backfield combined to rush 42 times. If they get a big lead, which many in Vegas are projecting, they will take the air out of the ball to shorten the game and pound the rock until Green Bay stops it. TAKE THE UNDER.
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Previewing the Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship Game, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.
The Tennessee Titans (11-7) look for a third straight upset on the road when they travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (13-4) in Sunday’s AFC Championship. The Titans pulled off a surprising 28-12 victory over the Baltimore Ravens last week, which was the team’s fifth straight road win, a span in which they have outscored their opponents by 16 points per game.
Tennessee has been playing extremely well with QB Ryan Tannehill under center, going 9-3 in his 12 starts. He hasn’t been asked to do much with his arm in the playoffs, as the team has leaned very heavily on RB Derrick Henry, who topped 180 rushing yards in both games.
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These teams met in Nashville back in Week 10, and there were plenty of offensive fireworks in Tennessee’s 35-32 win. In that game, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes exploded for 446 yards and three touchdowns, while Henry ran all over the Kansas City defense, racking up 188 yards and two scores.
It will be tough to steal a win in Kansas City, but this game stands a strong chance of going down to the wire. The Titans are getting 7.5 points (-121) on the spread and +260 odds on the moneyline. Both represent solid value.
Establishing the run
(Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports)
Henry led the NFL with 1,540 rushing yards in the regular season, and he has been virtually unstoppable lately. He is averaging 196 rushing yards over his past three games and has topped 100 yards in seven of his last eight, including 149 yards or more in six of those contests.
The Kansas City defense has been vulnerable against the run all season. They have surrendered the fourth-most yards per attempt on the ground, and seventh-most yards per game. The Titans offensive game plan looks pretty obvious, and Henry should have another huge day.
Which defense will step up?
(Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb – USA TODAY Sports)
The Titans aren’t built to play from behind, so they can’t afford to get down a couple scores. As long as the game is close, they should be able to continue feeding the ball to Henry, and he should run wild on the porous Chief run defense.
The Tennessee defense will need to do a better job of containing Mahomes, who went off for 446 yards and three scores in the Week 10 matchup.
This should be a high-scoring affair, as the Titans should move the ball at will on the ground, but they will have a hard time slowing down the Kansas City air attack. The Chiefs, winners of six straight, deserve to be slight favorites, but Tennessee has beat them once already, and has a good chance to hand them their fourth home loss of the season. Back the Titans in this one.
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Previewing the Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers NFC Championship Game, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.
After dominating the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the playoffs last Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers (14-3) sit one win away from the Super Bowl. The only team standing in their way? The Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers (14-3).
While both teams finished the regular season 13-3, the 49ers were the far better team. Their point differential of 169 was not only best in the NFC but was 106 points better than that of the Packers. San Francisco finished the regular season with the No. 2 scoring offense and No. 2 defense in yards allowed.
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And when these teams met in the regular season, the 49ers absolutely crushed the Packers, beating them 37-8. Green Bay was held to 198 total yards with Rodgers throwing for only 104 yards with a paltry 3.15 yards per attempt – the lowest of his career in a game he started.
All of this adds up to the 49ers being 7.5-point favorites over the Packers on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium, with a moneyline of -358. But should you bet on them to win the game?
In short: YES.
Can the good fortune last?
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. (Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports)
The Packers have overachieved to make it this far and weren’t as good as their record during the regular season. They were 18th in total offense and 18th in total defense in 2019, ranking outside the top 10 in passing and rushing, as well. Their saving grace was turnovers – tying for seventh in the NFL with 25 takeaways and finishing second with 13 giveaways. The plus-12 turnover differential was tied for third in the league.
Green Bay scored fewer than 24 points in nine games this season with eight of their wins coming by only one possession. The 49ers, who were said to have played in a lot of close games, actually won only five games by one possession and scored at least 24 points in all but four games this year – including their 27-10 win over Minnesota last weekend.
Strength vs. strength
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. (Photo credit: Stan Szeto – USA TODAY Sports)
This game will come down to two key factors: Can the 49ers get pressure on Rodgers, and can the Packers slow down San Francisco’s rushing attack? The 49ers finished fifth in the NFL with 48 sacks this season – and they were well distributed. Arik Armstead had 10, Nick Bosa had nine, DeForest Buckner posted 7.5 and Dee Ford had 6.5 in only 11 games.
Blocking a defensive line with that sort of production spread across the front is a huge challenge, because it’s not as if the Packers can focus all of their attention on one guy. David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga are outstanding tackles, and Elgton Jenkins has been great at guard, but the Packers’ offensive line struggled to protect Rodgers the last time these teams met, allowing five sacks.
As for stopping the 49ers’ ground game, the Packers did a great job of that in Week 12. They held San Francisco to only 112 yards rushing in that one, with no player gaining more than 45 yards by himself. On the flip side, Green Bay still lost 37-8 – and that was with 49ers running back Matt Breida out with injury.
This is a game the 49ers should (and will) win.
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Game-by-game NFL Divisional Playoff breakdowns, with NFL betting odds, lines, predictions, picks and betting tips for each game.
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NFL Playoffs continue this weekend, as we’re down to eight teams in the chase to be this season’s Super Bowl Champion. SportsbookWire’s NFL Playoff Betting Guide is at your service, full of NFL odds, lines, spreads, game-by-game predictions, picks and best-bet selections to help you make the best NFL sports bets for the week.
Be sure to also check out our recommendations around parlay picks to cash in on during the NFL Playoffs:
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Previewing Thursday’s Divisional Round showdown between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, with NFL betting odds, picks and tips
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The Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) host the Houston Texans (10-6) Sunday in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium, where the visiting Texans beat the Chiefs 31-24 back in Week 6. Below, we analyze the Chiefs-Texans sports betting odds and lines, while providing NFL betting tips and advice on this matchup.
Texans at Chiefs: Divisional Round preview, betting trends and notes
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The Chiefs have been on a roll, winning six straight games, and covering the spread in each of those contests.
The Chiefs went Over the total in their 31-21 win against the Chargers in their regular-season finale, but the Under had hit in each of their five previous five games. During that span, the Kansas City defense surrendered just 9.6 points per game.
The total has gone Under in 10 of 17 games for the Texans this season, including each of their last four road games.
The Kansas City defense should be able to put some pressure on Texans QB Deshaun Watson. Houston has allowed 16 sacks in their last three games (including seven last week against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round), while the Chiefs have recorded 34 sacks in their last 10 games.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes shouldn’t have too much trouble moving the ball against a Houston defense that has allowed the fourth-most passing yards on the season.
Both defenses rank in the bottom five in yards per rush attempt, as well as receptions and receiving yards to opposing running backs.
Texans at Chiefs: Key injuries
Texans WR Will Fuller (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, and appears to have a strong chance to return to action this weekend.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, but he should be good to go for Sunday. FS Juan Thornhill is out with a torn ACL suffered in the final game of the regular season.
Texans at Chiefs: Odds, betting lines and prediction
The Texans pulled off the upset in Kansas City earlier in the year, and posted a 5-3 record on the road. But they’ll have their hands full this time, as the Chiefs have won six straight, with an average margin of victory of 16.3 points. The Chiefs should win this game, but at -455 on the moneyline, it’s best to AVOID the chalk and target the spread instead.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Chiefs to win the game outright returns a profit of just $2.20.
The Chiefs lost three straight home games earlier in the year, including one to the Texans, but they have been playing well lately. In their last three games at Arrowhead, they outscored their opponents (Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers) 94-33. The line has gone up a couple points since it opened, but is still in the single digits.
Armed with an explosive offense and improved defense, look for the CHIEFS (-9.5, -110) to get revenge, and win this matchup by 10 ore more points.
The projected total has moved up to 50.5points, the highest total on the board in the second round. Both teams have been going Under the total a lot lately, and while the loss of Thornhill is a big one, the improved Kansas City defense should be able to prevent this from becoming a shootout. UNDER 50.5 (-106) looks like the side to take.
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Previewing the Minnesota Vikings’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.
The Minnesota Vikings are one of the bigger Jekyll and Hyde teams in the league, and have been for some time. Their veteran-laden lineup has Pro Bowl talent on both sides of the ball, but when it comes to putting it all together in a season, it has yet to happen for the Vikings.
And this season shouldn’t be the exception to that rule.
Minnesota’s odds of winning the Super Bowl are currently at +3300. Only Buffalo (+6000) and Tennessee (+4000) have longer odds.
New to sports betting? A $100 wager on the Vikings to win the Super Bowl would return a profit of $3,300 should they run the table.
NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 5:15 p.m. ET.
Can the Vikings pull it off?
Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings know a thing or two about beating the Saints in the playoffs. (Photo credit: Harrison Barden – USA TODAY Sports)
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One thing that Minnesota has going for it is a defense that can contain opposing offenses. The Vikings defense gave up just 31 touchdowns this season — fewer than two per game and fewest of any NFC playoff team. The defense isn’t as dominant as it has been in previous seasons, but still held opponents to 21 or fewer points in 10 games.
The Vikings also have a penchant for stringing together wins. Over the last five seasons, Minnesota has had winning streaks of four or more games in all but one of them, including two streaks of five straight wins and one of eight.
This season, Minnesota won four straight in October to go from 2-2 to 6-2 and virtually cement its playoff position. This is a team capable of getting on a hot streak.
Or is it just too tall a task?
Running back Dalvin Cook is one of several players capable of carrying the Vikings far in playoffs. The problem is just how log that road will be with three road wins needed just to get to the Super Bowl. (Photo c: Brace Hemmelgarn – USA TODAY Sports)
The biggest problem with the Vikings, however, is that they didn’t win the NFC North. And it doesn’t help that a loaded NFC forced a 13-3 New Orleans team to play on wild-card weekend.
The 10-6 Vikings know two things. 1) They have to go on the road to play a 13-3 team in the first round of the playoffs (New Orleans) and 2) if they win that game, they have to go back on the road to play another 13-3 team (San Francisco). And if the Vikings get through that and the other half of the NFC bracket holds, it would mean a third trip to a 13-3 club, to face Green Bay in the NFC title game.
Then there’s the whole Saints looking for revenge for the Minnesota Miracle to postseasons ago, as well.
Minnesota has the horses to some damage with Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph on offense and Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph, Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith and Xavier Rhodes on defense — but the path through the NFC is just too daunting to expect that the Vikings can make the run needed to get to the Super Bowl, much less win it.
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Previewing the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIV NFL chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets
The NFL playoffs begin this weekend and, as NFC East champions, the Philadelphia Eagles will host the final of the four wild-card games on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles finished the season 9-7, beating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 then closing out the division crown with a 34-17 road win against the Giants in Week 17.
In all, the Eagles had to win four in a row to do it. And they needed every win.
Now Philadelphia readies for its playoff run with one looming question: Can the Eagles win four more games and take home its second Super Bowl title in the last three seasons?
The question for you is whether you should bet on the Eagles to actually sweep through the playoffs and win Super Bowl LIV.
NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 6:30 pm. ET.
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The odds certainly wouldn’t point to the Eagles even making the playoffs, as they sit at +1200 to win the NFC, tied with Seattle for the second-longest odds in the NFC. Only Minnesota (+1600) has longer odds.
Philly is tied for the third-longest odds to win the Super Bowl at +3300. So while their odds of pulling it all off seem unlikely, the Eagles offer one of the biggest potential paydays in the playoffs.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Eagles to win the Super Bowl would return a profit of $330 should Philadelphia win the game.
Yes, it is a big payday. The question is whether it is worth betting on the Eagles.
Eagles to win the Super Bowl: Worth the risk?
Carson Wentz and the Eagles conquered the Dallas Cowboys in December. Can they conquer the rest of the NFL in January and February? (Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports)
They did win their final four games to get into the playoffs, so they are hot. However, those four games were all against the NFC East. They did not beat a winning team in the final eight games of the season.
They were 5-3 at home and 4-4 on the road. They likely will only have one playoff game at home — and that’s against the Seahawks, who have a better record than the Eagles (11-5) and were literally one yard away from winning the NFC West.
The Eagles’ receiving corps is underwhelming and Philadelphia struggles in the secondary. And last week, the club saw one of its best linemen, guard Brandon Brooks, go down for the remainder of the season. Running back Miles Sanders, a revelation in the second half of the season, also went down against the Giants and his availability is in question. And then there are injuries to All-Pro tight end Zach Ertz and All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson, both of whom are also uncertain for Sunday.
And if the Eagles do get past the Seahawks, they will likely be sitting in the divisional round with a trio of 11-3 teams … and that’s before we start talking potential Super Bowl opponent.
The potential payout is huge, but unless it is a casual, small bet, the Eagles aren’t worth wagering much.
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Previewing the 49ers’ Super Bowl LIV NFL chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets
The San Francisco 49ers steamrolled their way to an 8-0 record to open the season, allowing more than 20 points just once in that span. Then came an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10 and a 3-3 run over the next six games as the San Francisco defense came back down to earth.
Nevertheless, the 49ers finished the season 5-3, earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, and still look like one of the best teams in the NFL. The oddsmakers see it that way, too. As of Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, BetMGM lists the 49ers at +400 to win Super Bowl LIV, the second-best odds only to the Ravens (+225).
NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 3:30 pm. ET.
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The upside of betting on the 49ers isn’t nearly as high as picking a team like the Texans (+3300), but the risk is also much lower, given the fact that San Francisco has a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the NFC.
So should you lay down a wager on the 49ers to win it all? Absolutely. In fact, they’re one of the best bets in the playoffs for a couple of reasons.
Sizing up the NFC field
Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers spent much of the regular season perched atop the NFC. (Photo credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports)
First is San Francisco’s seeding and the NFC side of the playoff bracket. The 49ers haven’t had a week off since Week 4 — in late September. Earning a first-round bye with their riveting win over the Seahawks in Week 17 will do the 49ers a world good as banged-up veterans such as Emmanuel Sanders get extra time to recover and get healthy, while their first opponent won’t have that benefit.
And speaking of their first opponent in the playoffs, it won’t be the Saints or the Packers — the next-best teams in the conference. Green Bay is the No. 2 seed and also has a bye. New Orleans is the No. 3 seed and would automatically visit the Packers in the divisional round should it beat Minnesota this weekend. That leaves the 49ers to face the Seahawks, Eagles or Vikings.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the 49ers to win the Super Bowl would return a profit of $40 should the 49ers win the game.
The Eagles are a nice story of perseverance and overcoming injuries, but they’re too banged up to make a deep run in the playoffs with Carson Wentz being their only consistent source of offense. Seattle isn’t as good as its record — the Seahawks have only one win by more than one possession but three losses by at least two touchdowns.
The Vikings are an interesting team, but Kirk Cousins can’t be trusted on the big stage. Plus a deeper look at Minnesota’s schedule shows the Vikings beat only one opponent that finished with a winning record. In other words, they beat up on lesser teams and lost to their tougher foes.
On top of the playoff bracket, the 49ers are one of the most consistent and proven teams in the postseason. They lost in overtime to the Seahawks before beating them in Week 17, lost by three points on the road to the Ravens and were upset by the Falcons at the last second in Week 15 with a decimated secondary.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is a big reason why the 49ers are looking down at the rest of the NFC playoff field. (Photo credit: Stan Szeto – USA TODAY Sports)
When healthy, the 49ers have a terrifying defense that’s outstanding at all three levels — from the pass rush with Nick Bosa to the linebackers with Fred Warner to the secondary with Richard Sherman.
On offense, their relentless ground game with the three-headed running-back monster of Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman helps balance the offense with Jimmy Garoppolo behind center. As long as Garoppolo doesn’t fold under pressure, the 49ers will be in good shape.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has the smarts to outduel even the best defensive masterminds — including Pete Carroll and Mike Zimmer. He has a golden opportunity to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where a rematch with the Ravens could ensue.
Talent and coaching win in the playoffs, and the 49ers have both. Feel good about putting money on the 49ers to win it all in February.
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