There’s a new Super Bowl favorite in the NFL: The San Francisco 49ers.
The Red and Gold came into the 2023 season tied with the Buffalo Bills for the third-best odds to take home the Lombardi Trophy in February at +900 (Caesars Sportsbook), trailing the Kansas City Chiefs (+600) and Philadelphia Eagles (+750).
But now, after two impressive wins to open the season and shaky starts from fellow Super Bowl contenders, the 49ers are at the top of the oddsboard at +650.
San Francisco opened the season with a dominant 30-7 win over the Steelers, who were a popular underdog pick heading into the game.
The 49ers followed that game up with a win over the Rams by a touchdown, although a last-second field goal cut the lead from 10 to seven and helped Los Angeles cover the spread.
They’ve done it by dominating on both sides of the ball, ranking third in offensive expected points added per play and fourth in defensive EPA/play.
The Chiefs, who are 1-1 after a disappointing opening night loss to the Lions, and Eagles, who are 2-0 despite two so-so showings, have been a bit pedestrian compared to expectations, ranking roughly middle-of-the-pack in offensive and defense EPA per play.
That was enough for oddsmakers at Caesars to make the Niners the new favorites as they head into Thursday’s battle against the Giants for their home opener at Levi’s Stadium.
San Francisco’s hot start has also helped quarterback Brock Purdy sneak into the fringes of the NFL MVP conversation.
After opening the season at +4000, the second-year play-caller and last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft is now +2200 to win the award, which are 10th-best odds in the league, just behind Joe Burrow.
The 49ers schedule is a bit soft over the next two weeks as they host the Giants and Cardinals, but their first real test comes in Week 5 when the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys — who have the fourth-best Super Bowl odds at Caesars — come to Santa Clara.
If they can take care of business over the next couple of weeks and show out against the Cowboys, look for these odds to shoot even higher.