Only three NFL championship games have gone into overtime. The first was in 1958 when the Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants in what was called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
In 2019, a ballot of 66 media members voted this game as the best in the first century of the league.
The second overtime game was Super Bowl LI, where the New England Patriots came back from a 28-3 deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons.
NFL Futures Odds and Season Preview: San Francisco 49ers 2024
The most recent overtime game was in Super Bowl LVIII, with the Kansas City Chiefs overcoming a halftime deficit to defeat the San Francisco 49ers. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan faced criticism for his decision in overtime, allowing the Chiefs to secure the win.
As the 49ers prepare for the upcoming season, questions arise about a potential Super Bowl hangover in 2024.
Betting odds will be analyzed for their division, conference, and Super Bowl prospects.
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +650
- Odds to Win the NFC: +275
- Odds to Win the NFC West: -195
- Odds for Brock Purdy to Win the NFL MVP: +2000
Week 1: vs NY Jets MNF
The prime-time games for the 49ers are underway from the beginning as Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return. He tore an Achilles tendon just a few minutes into Week 1 in 2023, sending the Jets’ offense into chaos for the rest of the season. The Jets have the energy that comes with a returning quarterback after a disappointing season, and tailback Breece Hall is one of the most dangerous ball carriers in the AFC. Even so, the skill players around Brock Purdy should keep things in hand. 49ers win. 1-0.
Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings let Kirk Cousins depart via free agency, so it will likely be Sam Darnold at quarterback for Minnesota. Darnold backed up Brock Purdy last year and is now the journeyman starter for the Vikings until J.J. McCarthy is ready for the job. Darnold will have his hands full with the 49ers’ pass rush. 49ers win. 2-0.
Week 3: at L.A. Rams
The Rams might be the only team that can beat San Francisco in this division, but the retirement of elite defensive tackle Aaron Donald makes that unit a lot less scary. The Rams still have Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua, but the lack of a serviceable rushing attack will allow the 49ers to load up against the pass. 49ers win. 3-0.
Week 4: vs New England Patriots
The post-Belichick Patriots will be a new entity to behold, and with Jerod Mayo at head coach, the defense will be aggressive – and prepared. However, the quarterback situation in New England is unclear, and their tailback game is also a potential problem. The Pats should have a decent defense, but too many three-and-outs will wear them down. 49ers win. 4-0.
Week 5: vs Arizona Cardinals
The Cards finished 4-13 last year, but they added Marvin Harrison Jr in the draft to give Kyler Murray another elite target. The problem for the Cardinals is their lack of a meaningful defense, at least of the type that will cause problems for the 49er offense. 49ers win. 5-0.
Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks TNF
Road teams tend to struggle on offense on short weeks, and the weather in Seattle is iffy this time of year. The crowd is a hostile entity as well. Without Pete Carroll, it will be interesting to see what energy the Seahawks bring, but this game is an excellent candidate for a trap. Seahawks win. 5-1.
Week 7: vs Kansas City Chiefs
The 49ers have not beaten the Kansas City Chiefs since 2018. However, the Chiefs will likely not have standout wide receiver Rashee Rice for this game. Rookie Xavier Worthy will contribute, and Hollywood Brown came to town via free agency, but neither is likely to bring the impact that Rice had last year. 49ers win. 6-1.
Week 8: vs Dallas Cowboys SNF
The 49ers routed the Cowboys at home, 42-10, in prime time a year ago. Dallas’ defense has less talent going into 2024 than it did last year, and the Cowboys have all kinds of drama going into the season, with Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy entering the last years of their contracts. 49ers win. 7-1.
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 49ers travel to Florida twice this season. Will Baker Mayfield have reverted back to form, or was his inspired play in 2023 the real deal? Nick Bosa should be able to pressure Mayfield all day long. 49ers win. 8-1.
Week 11: vs Seattle Seahawks
We’ll know a lot more about new Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald by this time, but the 49ers will be ready to reverse the outcome from their lone loss of the season, up in Seattle. 49ers win. 9-1.
Week 12: at Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a late lead on the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in the divisional playoff last year. Jordan Love has established himself as a legit starting quarterback, and the Packers are solid on both sides of the ball. Lambeau Field will be rocking for this showdown. Packers win. 9-2.
Week 13: at Buffalo Bills SNF
This could be a cold, even rainy or snowy night in Buffalo. The Bills are rebuilding at wide receiver, and Josh Allen will have to figure out how to deliver wins without turning the ball over. This tough part of the season in terms of travel, combined with the physicality of the Bills’ defense, makes this tough. Bills win. 9-3.
Week 14: vs Chicago Bears
Which 2023 rookie campaign will Caleb Williams’ first season in the Windy City resemble more – that of C.J. Stroud, who led the Houston Texans to an AFC South title and a divisional playoff game, or that of Bryce Young, who spent 2023 running for his life? Williams has three excellent wide receivers on the field for him, but the defense isn’t quite where it needs to be. Expect an exciting duel. 49ers win. 10-3.
Week 15: vs L.A. Rams TNF
It’s a short week, and road teams tend to have a hard time with preparation, even when the trip is just a commuter flight down the coast. The 49ers have owned the Rams in regular-season action in recent years. 49ers win. 11-3.
Week 16: at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have all kinds of offensive talent and are looking to get back at the 49ers for a tough setback in the Bay Area two years ago, when Purdy made his league debut. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is emerging as one of the more innovative minds in the league. Dolphins win. 11-4.
Week 17: vs Detroit Lions MNF
Here is the rematch of last year’s NFC Championship. The Lions led for almost three quarters before giving way. The Lions, hopefully, won’t be as cavalier in going for it on fourth down, which should lead to smarter game management. With Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions will be able to pound the ball on the ground. But will it matter? 49ers win. 12-4.
Week 18: at Arizona Cardinals
This should be a loud San Francisco crowd as Purdy is from Arizona, and Phoenix has a lot of 49ers fans. If the 49ers already have the bye, though, the 49ers might well rest their starters. Cardinals win. 12-5.