NFL Betting: Are the Struggling 49ers Still a Smart Bet to Win Super Bowl LVIII?

The wheels have been coming off for the San Francisco 49ers over the last three weeks. The team has strung together three straight losses and look far from the Super Bowl favorite they were earlier this season. Injuries can be partly to blame, but bettors are becoming increasingly concerned that something else may be wrong.

Below we will break down the odds and insights around the Niners recent skid to give you what you need to bet confidently on their Super Bowl chances.

Despite the teams’ recent struggles, US sportsbooks still have the Niners as a top three favorite to become NFL Champions. Below are the odds from three of the top NFL betting sites, giving you an idea of where they stand.

After starting out 5-0, San Francisco has now lost three straight games. Those losses have come against the Browns without Deshaun Watson, the Vikings without Justin Jefferson, and the Bengals. They have had some issues on both sides of the ball, but the lack of offense has been the biggest concern.

The Niners have scored just 17 points in each of the three losses after scoring at least 30 in their five wins. It is not a coincidence that the drop in offence happened after the team lost wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams, both of whom have not played since exiting their Week 6 loss with injuries.

The loss of both players is having a negative impact on second-year quarterback Brock Purdy. He looked a bit better against the Bengals last week but threw two key second-half interceptions in the loss. The loss of Williams has led to Purdy seeing more pressure on his drop backs, and the loss of Samuel takes away one of his primary playmakers.

The defense did not perform well last week, but they have been one of the best units in 2023. They have allowed more than 23 points just once this season, which came courtesy of a healed Joe Burrow. We aren’t concerned about their ability to dominate, but they could start to wear down if the offense can’t find a way to turn things around.

The good news for San Francisco is that Samuel and Williams should both be returning to the field soon after the teams bye week. Once they do, we feel confident that this team can return to their form from the first five weeks. Given the play of their defense and running back Christian McCaffrey, this team has all the tools needed for a Super Bowl run.

The biggest question for the Niners will be how Purdy can perform once the roster is once again intact. He has proven himself to be a starter in the NFL, but we have yet to see him play a full season. Given his low draft profile it is still possible that we see a regression as teams figure him out, which would be a problem against the league’s other top teams.

The Niners’ remaining schedule will not be easy. They will be on a bye in Week 9 before facing the Jags, Bucs, Seahawks (twice), Eagles, and Ravens. Those are all playoff contending teams, which will make the Niners run for the NFC’s top seed even more difficult.

We are still sold on the Niners as a Super Bowl contender, especially given the state of the NFC West. They should have no problem locking up their division, and this team is built for a postseason run. Given their current price, we are locking this Super Bowl bet in.