San Francisco 49ers Betting: 2025 Outlook & Insights

Greg Kajewski
Sep 4
5 min read

Updated: Sep 20

The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2025 NFL season as a team poised for a potential bounce-back after a tumultuous 2024 campaign. From devastating injuries to an unrelenting schedule, last season's misfortunes painted a stark contrast to the team's more successful years. With a retooled roster, favorable schedule, and a renewed focus on key areas of improvement, the Niners have sports bettors and fans alike debating whether this season will mark their resurgence.

Let’s break down the key factors influencing the 49ers' 2025 outlook, including their schedule, roster changes, betting trends, and what opportunities bettors should consider.

The Rollercoaster of 2024: What Went Wrong?

The 49ers' disappointing six-win season in 2024 was a sharp decline for a team that had played in the Super Bowl just two years prior. So, what caused the collapse? The answer lies in two critical areas: injuries and a brutal strength of schedule.

Injury Woes

The 49ers faced an injury apocalypse last season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey missed the opener and wasn’t fully healthy throughout the season. Other key offensive players, like wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (10 games missed) and left tackle Trent Williams (7 games missed), were sidelined for significant stretches. On defense, injuries to core players like Dre Greenlaw, Nick Bosa, and Talanoa Hufanga decimated their depth. Even linebacker Fred Warner played the majority of the season with a broken ankle.

Quite simply, the 49ers' roster was unable to withstand the attrition, making it nearly impossible to perform at their expected level.

Toughest Schedule in the NFL

Adding insult to injury, the 49ers faced the league's toughest schedule in 2024. A staggering 71% of their opponents exceeded their projected win totals, and the team consistently squared off against playoff-caliber rosters. Yet, despite all the adversity, they managed to stay competitive in many games - a testament to their coaching and overall talent when healthy.

2025 Brings a New Beginning: Easier Schedule and Improved Health

For 2025, the stars may align more favorably for the 49ers. Here’s why:

A Much Easier Strength of Schedule

The 49ers now boast the NFL's easiest schedule based on projected opponent strength. Their average opponent is rated 1.7 points worse than a league-average team. Key advantages include:

Facing only two teams in the top 10 of Super Bowl odds.
Playing eight of their final ten games against teams coming off road games.
Avoiding any opponents coming off a bye week.
Benefiting from a +9-day net rest advantage, compared to the -22-day disadvantage they endured last year.

The schedule not only gives the 49ers room to breathe but also positions them for more consistent success during the long grind of the NFL season.

Key Players Returning to Full Strength

The return of Christian McCaffrey at full health is a game-changer for the offense. Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams are also back, adding stability to the offensive unit. On defense, head coach Kyle Shanahan will rely on reinforcements and a healthier core to elevate the team's performance.

Betting on the 49ers: What to Watch For

Season Win Total: Over or Under?

The 49ers' win total is set at 10.5 for the season, with the under slightly juiced. Historically, teams with double-digit win expectations hit the over just 37% of the time since 2015. However, the 49ers’ favorable schedule and improved health tilt the odds in their favor this year.

Projection: Analysts, such as Lefty from The Betting Network, have the 49ers finishing with 10.7 wins on average. While injuries remain the biggest wildcard, the team’s depth and coaching staff are well-equipped to handle this softer schedule.

Key Betting Trends

Single-Score Game Performance: The 49ers went a dismal 2-6 in one-score games last season, a metric that often regresses to the mean. If they improve even marginally in this area, it could significantly bolster their win total.
Special Teams Upgrade: Last season, kicker Jake Moody made just 70% of his field goals, while opponents were near-flawless in clutch moments. This year, competition at the kicker position, with the addition of Greg Joseph, may address this glaring weakness.
First-Half vs. Second-Half Performance: San Francisco was +47 in first-half point differential but -94 in second halves last year. Bettors should monitor whether this trend continues and consider halftime bets accordingly.
Overs on Early Season Games: With a young, retooled defense and Robert Saleh returning as defensive coordinator, it may take time for the unit to gel. Pair this with a Shanahan-led offense, and the 49ers could be a solid bet for early-season overs.

Roster Changes: What Bettors Need to Know

The 49ers made significant adjustments in the offseason, particularly on defense. While they lost key players like Leonard Floyd, Dre Greenlaw, and Javon Hargrave to free agency, the front office brought in cost-effective replacements. Depth remains a concern, but the overall talent level is expected to stabilize.

On offense, the core remains largely intact, with stars like McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle leading the charge. If the unit stays healthy, they have top-10 potential once again.

Key Takeaways

Soft Schedule: The 49ers face one of the league's easiest schedules, providing a strong foundation for a bounce-back season.
Health Matters: With a healthier roster, San Francisco is primed to perform closer to their potential.
Betting Opportunities: Look for value in overs early in the season and watch for regression in single-score games.
Win Total Projection: While the 10.5 line is tight, favorable conditions make the over worth considering.
Defense Under Construction: With many new faces and Saleh’s return, expect growing pains early but steady improvement as the season progresses.

Final Thoughts

As sports bettors size up the 49ers' prospects for the 2025 season, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. The combination of a favorable schedule, improved health, and coaching stability makes them a compelling team to follow. However, their success hinges on key players staying on the field - a factor that burned bettors last year.

For those looking to wager on San Francisco, the season presents numerous opportunities, from betting overs on their games to projecting a return to double-digit wins. The road back to the playoffs isn’t guaranteed, but with the right balance of luck and preparation, 2025 could mark a triumphant return for the 49ers.

Source: Insights adapted from Lefty of The Betting Network.

Outlook and Source from Lefty of The Betting Network: "2025 NFL Team Preview | San Francisco 49’ers | Bounce Back Szn?" - Live Dog Lefty, YouTube, Aug 30, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0wfagXcv4s

Use: Embedded for reference. Brief quotes used for commentary/review.