San Francisco 49ers 2020 Preview - NFL Odds, Picks, & Betting Predictions

The San Francisco 49ers are the defending NFC champions after finishing the regular season with an overall record 13-3 and proceeding to win the conference title and play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV where they lost 31-20. The 49ers have been selected by oddsmakers to repeat as NFC West champions in 2020, as the majority of skills position players return and a suffocating defense has most of the same players returning.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo returns under center for the 49ers. In 2019, Garoppolo threw for 3,978 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 assists. The top running back returning for the 49ers is Raheem Mostert who rushed for 772 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Tight end George Kittle led the 49ers in receiving with 85 receptions for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns. The wide receivers corps will include second-year star Deebo Samuel who caught 57 passes for 802 yards and three touchdowns last season, while Kendrick Bourne, rookie Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Taylor and Richies James Jr. round out a very explosive group.

The San Francisco offensive line has substantial depth and should hold up over a 16-game season that is often filled with injuries. The 49ers lost left tackle Joe Staley to retirement and right guard Mike Person was released, but 49ers acquired standout left tackle Trent Williams from Washington during the draft. Lining up next to Williams will be left guard Laken Tomlinson, while Weston Richburg will take over as the starting center, Daniel Brunskill will start at right guard and Mike McGlinchey will round out the line at right tackle. 

The San Francisco 49ers defense will not look much different than it did at the opening kickoff of the 2019 regular season although there will be a few changes. The biggest change is San Francisco traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for the No. 13 overall pick in the draft and used that selection to take defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The 49ers also re-signed defensive tackle Arik Armstead and have two of the best Edge rushers in football in Dee Ford and Nick Bosa.

The 49ers linebacker corps will be led by second-year Dre Greenlaw, who will be joined by veteran Kwon Alexander and Fred Warner. Joe Walker and Mark Nzeocha will also see plenty of playing time for the linebackers. The cornerback position for San Francisco lacks depth but will have veteran Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, K'Waun Williams, and DJ Reed. Due to a lack of depth at safety as well, injuries could become a key factor to the 49ers secondary. Jimmie Ward and  Jaquiski Tartt will be the two starters at free safety and strong safety respectively. Both players are prone to injuries and backups Tarvarius Moore and Jared Mayden could play big roles in 2020.

Several football pundits have the San Francisco 49ers locked in as NFC champions for 2020 following their spectacular run to a conference championship in 2019. With Jimmy Garoppolo leading the offense, the 49ers should have a high-scoring unit paced by their wide receivers, while the defense led by edge rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa should be one of the best in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers will win the NFC West with an overall record of 12-4.