2012 NFL Picks: San Francisco 49ers Over/Under Odds, Schedule, NFC and Super Bowl Odds

2012 NFL Team Predictions: San Francisco 49ers Vegas Over/Under Odds, Schedule and Forecast: What a difference a year makes, and a coach makes for that matter. One season after watching the Seattle Seahawks win their division with a 7-9 record, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the NFC West, finishing 13-3 and reaching the conference title game before falling to the eventual champion New York Giants. It was one heck of a year for first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, who proved that his success at Stanford wasn’t tied only to Andrew Luck. In fact, it can be argued that his success with San Francisco is even more impressive because he made Alex Smith look like a solid NFL QB after the former No. 1 overall pick had been a bust in his previous five seasons. The only question now is whether Harbaugh’s second season at the helm will bring a sophomore slump or another run at a Super Bowl.

While Harbaugh’s ability to bring out the best in Smith got a lot of attention, the strength of this team is its defense. San Francisco allowed the second-fewest points and third-fewest yards per game last year. The 49ers also allowed the fewest rushing yards per game of any team, had the second-most interceptions, and ranked in the top 10 in sacks. The unit is loaded with playmakers at every level and it shows. Whether it is Justin Smith up front, Patrick Willis in the middle or Dashon Goldson in the secondary, San Francisco’s defense is stingy, hard-hitting and talented. Heck, Aldon Smith came off the bench as a rookie last year to record 14.0 sacks. With the rest of the division still in disarray, the 49ers’ defense alone should carry the team to another NFC West crown.

Of course, Harbaugh and company no doubt have bigger goals in 2012 after coming so close to playing for a championship last year, and this team’s Super Bowl dreams depend on the play of the offense. San Francisco’s best weapon is its power running game, and the 49ers ranked eighth in the NFL in rushing last season. Tackles Joe Staley and Anthony Davis bookend a solid offensive line, and when running back Frank Gore is healthy, he is still a workhorse. The 49ers also have Kendall Hunter and rookie LaMichael James to spell Gore or simply change the pace.

With the running game already reliable, the offseason was spent trying to upgrade the passing attack. Even though Smith had his best year as a pro, the 49ers averaged the third-fewest passing yards in the NFL. Tight end Vernon Davis and receiver Michael Crabtree are the returning starters, and newcomers Mario Manningham and Randy Moss will join the mix, as well. Davis showed in last year’s playoffs that he has star potential, and Crabtree finally showed signs of becoming a solid possession receiver. Meanwhile Manningham should be able to help stretch the field, and Moss could be a game changer if he is actually focused. Even if the new additions don’t pan out, the 49ers passing attack shouldn’t be any worse, and they have already shown the can win by running the ball and playing defense. It was a low-risk move on the part of San Francisco.

Overall, the 49ers are in a great situation. The NFC West is a joke of a division, and San Francisco would have to fall on its face not to repeat as champs as make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ ability to run the ball and stop the run has always been a recipe for winning close games on big stages, and with a few more playmakers in the mix on offense, Smith and company might just be able to make the extra big play or two that gets them over the hump. Either way, the 49ers appear to be one of the best all-around teams in the NFL, and they have Super Bowl potential.

Prediction: 12-4, NFC West Champs

2012 San Francisco 49ersOdds
Odds to Win Super Bowl: 10/1
Vegas Team Wins Over/Under Odds: 10 Wins
Odds to Win NFC West: 4/9
Odds to Win NFC: 6/1

2012 San Francisco 49ers Weekly Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TV
09/09/2012 at Green Bay N/A
09/16/2012 vs Detroit N/A
09/23/2012 at Minnesota N/A
09/30/2012 at NY Jets N/A
10/07/2012 vs Buffalo N/A
10/14/2012 vs NY Giants N/A
10/18/2012 vs Seattle N/A
10/29/2012 at Arizona N/A
11/11/2012 vs St. Louis N/A
11/19/2012 vs Chicago N/A
11/25/2012 at New Orleans N/A
12/02/2012 at St. Louis N/A
12/09/2012 vs Miami N/A
12/16/2012 at New England N/A
12/23/2012 at Seattle N/A
12/30/2012 vs Arizona N/A

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