2012 San Francisco 49ers Predictions
Odds to win Super Bowl XLVII: 10-1

The Niners are coming off a dream season in 2012 as Jim Harbaugh helped lead them from a 6-10 team to a 13-3 powerhouse. The dream ended in the NFC Championship with a 20-17 overtime loss at home to the New York Giants. The defense led the way as they (along with the special teams) forced 38 turnovers, which tied for most of the league. The Niners were pretty vanilla on offense as they averaged 23.8ppg, and were helped by their defense and field position. The additions of RB Brandon Jacobs (NY Giants), WR Mario Manningham (Giants) and WR Randy Moss (FA) should help some.

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Offense:
The problem for the Niners came on offense as they finished 29th in passing and 26th in overall offense. The key will be the performance of QB Alex Smith, who is coming off his best season by far. He threw for 3,144 yards with 17 TDs and just 5 picks (61.3%). Smith didn’t have to be great; he just needed to manage the game. He had an excellent running back in Frank Gore, a workhorse-type of back who ran for 1,211 yards (4.3ypc) and six TDs. The addition of Jacobs (6-4, 264) will help take some pressure off of Gore (and also take some TDs for those Fantasy Football fans). Speedy rookie running back LaMichael James (5-8, 194) will help returns kicks but needs to work on becoming a third-down back since wasn’t used in that fashion at Oregon. The Niners desperately needed some help at receiver so they added Moss, Manningham and drafted A.J. Jenkins (6-0, 192) in the first round from Illinois. Moss apparently still has it even though he’s not the same player who caught 23 TDs in 2007. Jenkins caught 90 passes last year, but will likely be the fourth receiver. Michael Crabtree is the team’s top receiver, with 72 catches for 874 yards (12.1ypc). Manningham was the third receiver with the NY Giants and isn’t a burner, but is capable of making big plays. At tight end, Vernon Davis (6-3, 250) caught 67 passes for 792 yards with 6 TDs and is one of the best in NFC. The O-line is ranked 26th in sacks allowed per pass play. They have a hole at right guard where RT Daniel Kilgore (6-3, 308) will battle Mike Person (6-4, 299) and veteran Alex Boone (6-7, 300) for the job. Fourth-round pick Joe Looney (6-3, 309) could also be in the mix. LT Joe Staley (6-6, 315) is solid, while LG Mike Iupati (6-5, 331) and RT Anthony Davis (6-5, 323) figure to get better.

Defense:
The defense finished 4th overall and led the league in rush defense, allowing just 77.3 yards per game. The defensive line is led by a very powerful front three. NT Isaac Sopoaga (6-2, 330) and DT Ray McDonald (6-3, 290) are tough against the run. McDonald also added five sacks. DT Justin Smith (6-4, 285) went to the Pro Bowl for the third straight year. He finished with 6.5 sacks and 58 tackles with three forced fumbles. The Niners have one of the best linebackers in the league. OLB Aldon Smith (6-4, 258) led the team with 14 sacks and was just a part-time player. He gets the starting nod, while the inside due of NaVorro Bowman (6-0, 242) and Patrick Willis (6-1, 240) is the best tandem in the game. Bowman led the team in tackles with 141, while Willis added 97 tackles and four forced fumbles in just 13 games. The secondary retains CB Carlos Rogers, who had a career year with six interceptions. The key is the other spot where Tarell Brown is the other starter, who had four picks last year. FS Dashon Goldson added 67 tackles and six picks and like Rogers, earned a Pro Bowl berth. At strong safety, Donte Whitner is the leader of the secondary. He had 2 picks and 62 tackles, along with two fumble recoveries.

Special Teams
The Niners had an excellent special teams last year led by K David Akers, who set NFL single season records with field goals made (44), attempted (52) and points scored without a touchdown (166). P Andy Lee, who averaged 50.9 yards per kick, earned a Pro Bowl berth along with Akers. KR/PR Ted Ginn Jr. was outstanding on kick returns with 27.6 yds/return and one score and punt returns at 12.3ypr (1 TD).

Outlook:
The Niners are at Green Bay, at the NY Jets, at New Orleans and at New England so matching their 13-3 record will be difficult.

2012 Schedule:

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