Breaking down realistic odds of 49ers making Super Bowl 57

The 49ers may not be the betting favorite to make and win Super Bowl 57, but they certainly have a realistic shot, and we break that down here.

There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about the San Francisco 49ers heading into the upcoming 2022 campaign.

Perhaps the biggest of all, the transition from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance has many feeling bearish about the Niners’ chances this season, especially in light of Garoppolo being at the helm for two NFC Championship games and Super Bowl LIV at the end of the 2019 season.

Many have debated whether or not Garoppolo was primarily responsible for those deep playoff runs, or if he was just “along for the ride” amid a strong running game and stout defense both seasons. But, either way, a first-year starter is always a reason why the proverbial needle can move in the wrong direction.

Despite all that, however, the oddsmakers at WynnBET still list head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, currently assigning San Francisco +1600 odds to win the big game, which is tied for seventh best.

And to win the NFC Championship this season, those oddsmakers list the 49ers with +800 odds, tied for fourth best within the conference.

Biggest threats to 49ers winning the NFC Championship game

The 49ers have made it to the NFC Championship game twice in the last three years, only interrupted by that horrendous injury-plagued 2020 campaign in which the Niners led the NFL by far in injury-days lost.

With the majority of core blue-chip players still in place — names like EDGE Nick Bosa, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle and left tackle Trent Williams — one figures Lance doesn’t have to shoulder his entire team this season. He has a playoff-caliber supporting cast and then some.

However, Shanahan and Co. would still prefer to avoid the 3-5 start they had to overcome to kick off 2021.

So, what are the biggest threats to the Niners ultimately making it to the Super Bowl this season?

Still-tough NFC West with reigning-champion Rams

Despite the Seattle Seahawks tumbling in the post-Russell Wilson era, the NFC West is still tough. Perhaps the Arizona Cardinals don’t start off as red-hot as they did a year ago, but recent trends show the Red Birds as having been a massive thorn in Shanahan’s side dating back to 2017.

Yet the biggest challenge to San Francisco will be the team that pulled off the victory in last February’s NFC Championship, the Los Angeles Rams, who ultimately won the Super Bowl, too.

While the Rams could easily wind up dealing with a Super Bowl “hangover” of their own this season, there’s no bigger obstacle in the way of the 49ers winning the NFC West and ensuring at least one home game in the playoffs.

Ever-present Packers with Aaron Rodgers at the helm

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a 0-4 record against the Niners in his playoff career, including two postseason exits the last three seasons and that frigid defense- and special teams-first showdown at Lambeau Field in the divisional round most recently.

Rodgers enters 2022 sans All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, yet the Packers reinforced their defense and look to improve significantly on special teams, too.

And, for what it’s worth, WynnBET gives Green Bay the second-best betting odds to win the conference at +325.

Tom Brady and an aging Buccaneers squad

Only one team ranks higher in NFC Championship odds than the Packers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who still have quarterback Tom Brady at the helm despite him turning 45 years old this offseason.

Unprecedented, yes, but fans still need to be reminded never to bet against Brady until he’s actually out. He’s not yet.

The Bucs were on the complete opposite end of the injury spectrum, compared to San Francisco, two seasons ago when they won the Super Bowl. Yet Brady capstones what’s arguably going to be the oldest roster in the NFL this season.

Does that play an impact when the playoffs kick off this January?

What prevents 49ers from winning Super Bowl 57?

While we shouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves in terms of predicting or assuming the 49ers can even get to the Super Bowl, one thing is for certain.

The NFC is vastly inferior to the AFC.

This is actually good news for the Niners, who should face an easier road to and then into the postseason, whereas the bulk of AFC teams in contention will essentially face a gauntlet, and the sheer number of contenders means at least one Super Bowl hopeful might not even get into the playoff dance.

The Buffalo Bills, widely viewed as the No. 1 overall team in the league this season, own the best betting odds to win the AFC Championship game at +325, while the Kansas City Chiefs are No. 2 at +600.

Read More: 49ers open with fantastic betting odds to win Super Bowl 57

The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, with betting odds of +700 and +800.

What’s the good news for San Francisco here, though?

Well, that’s simple. If the 49ers make it into the playoffs, they only have to worry about squaring off against just one AFC team, should they reach the Super Bowl, not running the gauntlet of top-contending AFC squads.

Yet the Niners have to get their first, and at least the odds suggest it’s a real possibility.