The 49ers had just done the unthinkable in Los Angeles, defeating the Rams as 8.5-point underdogs with their backup quarterback, Mac Jones, hobbling to the finish line.
Kyle Shanahan seemingly has always had Sean McVay’s number in these matchups, but this was arguably the biggest mismatch on paper in years, given the plethora of injuries to key 49ers’ players.
Mac Jones and the 49ers’ offense stormed out to a 17-7 lead at halftime, which gave them enough cushion as the Rams mounted a comeback in the second half. Matthew Stafford torched the 49ers’ pass defense to the tune of 389 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, but they could not muster up a yard in overtime when they needed it most.
View the latest NFL odds at Bovada
49ers Underdogs Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Shanahan’s 49ers will head into a mini-bye sitting atop the NFC West before taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a showdown of 4-1 teams next Sunday.
Per Bovada, the 49ers open as 2.5-point underdogs, as their injury situation still remains unclear around QB Brock Purdy, TE George Kittle and WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings.
Here were some of my takeaways from the 49ers’ 4-1 start to the season, as they look to keep the momentum rolling:
Kyle Shanahan should be the leader for Coach of the Year
Despite two Super Bowl appearances, Kyle Shanahan’s never won Coach of the Year. Through five weeks, this might be his most impressive coaching performance. The 49ers have been dealing with the most injuries of any team in the NFL, while starting four rookies on defense. He’s won three games with a backup quarterback, while being undefeated against the NFC West in three matchups.
At Bovada, Shane Steichen sits as the current favorite at +350, with Liam Coen trailing at +575 and then Kyle Shanahan at +700. Shanahan’s been masterful and given that his 49ers are bound to get healthy at some point this season, I expect them to finish the season strong.
49ers should trade for DE Trey Hendrickson
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s unit has taken a massive hit with the loss of Nick Bosa for the season, as the defensive line is now reliant on three rookies to fill the pass-rushing void left behind by Bosa.
The 49ers’ pass defense efficiency has fallen from #3 when Bosa was on the field, to #26 without Bosa in the last three weeks. The pass rush has not been getting home and opposing quarterbacks have torched the 49ers’ secondary.
If the 49ers want to seriously contend in the NFC this season, they’re going to need to upgrade their pass rush and add defensive line help. I imagine John Lynch is on the phone with a multitude of teams, but he should certainly be on the horn trying to pry Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals.
Fred Warner should be the leader for Defensive Player of the Year
According to Pro Football Focus, Fred Warner is the highest-rated defensive player (91.3) and the highest-rated coverage player (93.0) in the NFL through five games.
Generally, defensive player of the year feels like an award that’s gone to a defensive lineman who’s racked up a huge number of sacks or a cornerback who’s been a ballhawk. But linebacker Fred Warner’s impact on the 49ers can’t be understated. He’s now leading a unit that’s missing defensive end Nick Bosa and is starting four rookies.
Per Bovada, Warner is sitting at +2200 to win the award, behind some big names, but through five weeks, he’s been the best defensive player on the planet.
The 49ers are in firm control of the NFC West
While they struggled mightily in the NFC West in 2024, the 49ers have returned to dominating the division this season. They are already 3-0 against NFC West foes, with two wins coming on the road.
According to Bovada, they were the favorites coming into the season, but that’s only increased with their hot start. They are now -120 favorites to win the divison, with the Rams following at +195 and the Seahawks at +500.
San Francisco already has a one-game lead over the rest of the teams in the division and still has an easier remaining schedule than the other teams. I really like their odds to return as winning a division they previously won in 2022 and 2023.
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