With the playoffs just around the corner, the San Francisco 49ers are the current favorites for the Super Bowl and are priced at around 9/4. The Baltimore Ravens are second favorites at 10/3 according to many of Basketball Insiders’ preferred sportsbooks, and the fact that both teams have a bye in the wild-card round is a big factor in these odds.
The 49ers 12-5 regular season record gave them a No.1 seed position and gave them a great chance of lifting the trophy for the first time since 1994. Super Bowl final defeats in 2013 and 2020 will still be fresh in the minds of 49ers fans whose spirits will be high going into this event.
Of course, Californian bettors still have to contend with sports betting restrictions but there are plenty of websites and apps that give access to reputable offshore betting operators for them to place a wager with.
The 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been able to take head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system and provide the accuracy required to put it into practice. A CMP% of 69.4, 31 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 4280 yards shows that the 24-year-old is living up to his potential.
Running back Christian McCaffrey leads the league in rushing yards, touchdowns, and scrimmage yards, he is already being tipped as a potential Offensive Player of the Year. The gap in games will give him the opportunity to rest up from a mild calf strain so he can get back up to full fitness.
The 49ers’ solid defense is second for points allowed and the talented roster also boasts tight end George Kittel and two in-form receivers in the shape of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
According to the bookmakers, the biggest threat to the 49ers’ charge is the Baltimore Ravens who boast an impressive roster themselves. Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Jadeveon Clowney are just some of the names that have performed well for head coach John Harbaugh.
However, despite the 49ers and Ravens’ great form this season, it is still far too early to completely write off other potential contenders. The Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys find themselves as third and fourth favorites respectively, with the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins narrowly behind.
Beyond these selections, the odds start to get significantly higher, with the Pittsburgh Steelers being the least likely to lift the Super Bowl this season according to bookmakers who have priced them at 125/1.
If the 49ers continue their good form and lift Super Bowl LVIII they will join the Steelers and Patriots for the record of six total victories. Despite being the favorites, it is worth remembering that the 49ers’ recent form hasn’t been great. They fell to the Ravens on Boxing Day, suffered a 3-game losing streak in October, and have only won 2 of their last 6 matches.
A break in fixtures has come at the right time for them to regroup and gives Kyle Shanahan the opportunity to prepare them for one final push.
