My Michael Crabtree Blog

The San Francisco 49ers 8-8 record in 2009 was their best finish since going 10-6 in 2002. It was the second straight season that the 49ers finished second in the NFC West, and they appear to have their best shot to win the division in years with the Arizona Cardinals losing star quarterback Kurt Warner to retirement. Still this team has to perform before they simply get the division handed over to them. Below is my 2010 San Francisco 49ers preview, plus my prediction on where they finish the season in the NFC West.

Offense:

Just how good the 49ers will be in 2010 will depend on the play of quarterback Alex Smith, who looks to finally live up to his potential after being drafted No.1 overall back in 2005. Smith played well at times in 2009, but still has plenty of room for improvements. The 49ers added another former No.1 overall pick in David Carr, who will step in as the lead backup to Smith.

One thing that has to make you think Smith will have a better season is the big improvements the 49ers made up front on the offensive line. The 49ers had two first round picks and used them on tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati. Davis will step in right away at right tackle, while Iupati will join forces with left tackle Joe Staley at left guard. With the new additions look for 2009 right tackle Adam Snyder to battle Chilo Rachal for the starting right guard spot. This unit figures to make drastic improvements this season.

Look out for the 49ers running game this season, as the improved offensive line should pave plenty of big holes for running back Frank Gore, who had one of his best seasons of his career in 2009 with 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gore has been a workhorse for this offense in his five years with the team, but the plan is to spell Gore more in 2010 and allow second year back Glen Coffee and rookie Anthony Dixon to take over some of his carries.

The 49ers might have had to wait a little while to see what they got in 2009 first round pick Michael Crabtree, but they have to be excited that this guy is in a 49ers uniform for some time to come. Crabtree looked very impressive in 11 starts last year grabbing 48 passes for 625 yards and two scores. I look for Crabtree to have a monster second season, and will soon be grouped with the other elite receivers in this league. The 49ers also have a solid No.2 receiver in Josh Morgan and one of the league's top tight ends in Vernon Davis, who led the team with 13 touchdown receptions in 2009.

Defense:

The 49ers were one of the top rush defenses in the NFL last season, and that doesn't figure to change in 2010, as all three defensive lineman return. Aubrayo Franklin has been a pleasant find at nose tackle, and his solid play forced the team to use the franchise tag on him. Defensive end Justin Smith has a motor that never seems to stop and fellow defensive end Isaac Sopoaga has been a reliable starter playing in 79 of the teams last 80 games.

Another reason the 49ers have been so good against the run, is All Pro middle linebacker Patrick Willis, who rarely lets a runner get by him. Takeo Spikes is back to play alongside Willis in the middle, and has surprisingly played well despite the fact he is getting up there in age. Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson are back on the outside, and the team is hoping to get a much better season of Haralson in 2010.

The 49ers were 21st in the league against the pass in 2009, but a lot of that had to do with the fact that star corner Nate Clements started just six games. Clements is back and healthy for the 2010 season and will once again team up with Shawntae Spencer. The 49ers bring back 2009 starting safeties Michael Lewis and Dashon Goldson, but used their second round pick on USC safety Taylor Mays, and it won't be long before he finds himself making big plays for this defense.

Prediction - 1st NFC West: I think the 49ers could win the West going just 9-7, but I think they end up finishing the season right around 10-6. The key will be making sure they at least win one of two against the Cardinals and avoid any upsets against the Seahawks and Rams.

For a complete look at the upcoming season, check out our 2010 NFL predictions. If you plan on betting the NFL this season, than you want to make sure you have the best NFL odds for every game, and that is exactly what we provide at Betfirms.

The Arizona Cardinals have been the team to beat in the NFC West the last two seasons, but that could change this year. With future Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner deciding to hang it up, NFL lines makes are giving the San Francisco 49ers the edge in the division race, listing them as the -110 favorite to win the division. If the odds makers are correct, the 49ers will punch their ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Offense: The offense struggled in 2009, scoring just 20.6 points per game (18th in the NFL). The 49ers finished 25th in rushing offense (100.0 yards per game) and 22nd in passing offense (190.8 yards per game). It was extremely difficult for the offense to sustain drives with its poor 29.8 percent third down conversion rate.

The biggest problem was a mediocre at best offensive line. Joe Staley and Eric Heitmann performed well, but the Niners knew they needed to add more talent up front. So they drafted tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati in the first round. These two must be able to step in and perform right away.? The 49ers had a bit of misfortune with Heitmann fracturing his left fibula, but they are hoping to have him back by Week 2.

If the line can show improvement, Frank Gore could be poised for a monster year. Gore rushed for 1,120 yards and 10 scores in 2009, and he added 52 receptions for 406 yards and three more scores. The addition of former Eagles great Brian Westbrook should help keep Gore fresh.

The 49ers are a run-first team, but they have the potential to make big plays through the air with tight end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Davis is coming off a career-year, catching 78 balls for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. Once Crabtree's holdout was over, he wasted no time putting up big numbers, hauling in 48 passes for 625 yards in just 11 games.

It's been quite the process, but it appears Alex Smith is finally ready to be a starter in the NFL. After stepping into the role last season, he threw for 2,350 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. If he doesn't make the type of progress the Niners are expecting, former Texans starter David Carr will likely get the call.

Defense: Head coach Mike Singletary and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky have teamed up to put a solid defense on the field. This unit held opponents to only 17.9 points per game in 2009 (14th in the NFL).? Thanks to big nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and stud linebacker Patrick Willis, the 49ers were among the best run-stuffing units in football, holding opponents to only 97.0 yards per game on the ground (6th in the NFL).

This unit was also very opportunistic in 2009. Its 33 forced turnovers tied for fifth-best in the NFL, and its 18 fumble recoveries tied for first.

While no player on the defense recorded more than 6.5 sacks, the 49ers tied for third in the NFL with 44 sacks. Defensive end Justin Smith, who has 13 sacks in two seasons with the Niners, brings the heat on a consistent basis.

If the 49ers can improve their 21st-ranked pass defense, they can really become an elite unit.? In order to do that, they'll need a bounce back season from Nate Clemens.

Prediction: 1st NFC West - Unless Matt Leinart completely surprises with a breakout season, I believe the 49ers will win the West, punching their first playoff ticket in nearly a decade. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning the other seven divisions.

If you want winning NFL picks to beat the NFL odds this fall, then get signed up for one of the premium packages on my site.

The Oakland Raiders haven't won more than five games in a season since winning the division back in 2002, and are coming off their second straight 5-11 season. The biggest move the Raiders made this offseason was cutting ties with former No.1 pick JaMarcus Russell, who will go down as one of the biggest bust in NFL history. Here is a look at what the Raiders will bring to the table for the 2010 season, plus my prediction on where they finish the season in the AFC West.

Offense: The second biggest move the Raiders made this offseason was trading for Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, who will easily be the best quarterback the Raiders have fielded since Rich Gannon was under center. Backup Bruce Gradkowski really played well starting for Russell at the end of last year, but figures to move back to the No.2 spot this season.

The Raiders lost running back Justin Fargas this offseason, but are hoping that Darren McFadden and Michael Bush will benefit from more carries. I don't know that will be as big a factor as having a quarterback that can throw the ball, as opposing defenses were able to just stuff the line and beg the Raiders to throw it the past couple seasons.

It doesn't appear the Raiders made the right choice when selecting Darrius Heward-Bey over Michael Crabtree last year, but there is still a chance that Heyward-Bey can turn into a solid receiver if he continues to improve and starts catching the ball. Chaz Schilens figures to be the No.1 target on the outside if he can stay healthy, with Louis Murphy and Johnnie Lee Higgins also in the mix at the receiver position. The Raiders do have one of the best young tight ends in Zach Miller, and figures to put up even better numbers with Campbell throwing him the ball.

The offensive line is a bit of concern heading into the 2010 season. Left guard Robert Gallery must stay healthy for this unit to improve in 2010, as Gallery played in just six games in 2009. With a healthy Gallery I think we will see better production out of left tackle Mario Henderson, who faded down the stretch. Center Samson Satele and guard Cooper Carlisle are back, while Langston Walker, Khalif Barnes, and Bruce Campbell are expected to battle for the starting right tackle spot.

Defense: The Raiders made a really nice addition to their defensive line with the pickup of defensive tackle John Henderson, who should make life a lot easier for fellow tackle Tommy Kelly. Richard Seymour is back to start at defensive end, while Matt Shaughnessy and Quentin Groves are expected to battle for the other starting spot at end.

The Raiders have had some bad luck with recent draft selections, but I think they were right on with their first round pick of middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who I think will be a star for years to come on this side of the ball. Trevor Scott and Kamerion Wimbley are back on the outside and will enjoy playing next to McClain this season.

The Raiders have one of the best corners in all of football in Nnamdi Asomugha, as teams refuse to throw the ball his way. That puts a lot of pressure on the other starting corner Chris Johnson, but Johnson is capable of getting the job done. Tyvon Branch is the likely starter at strong safety with Michael Huff battling Hiram Eugene for the starting free safety spot. Also keep an eye out for 2009 second round pick Mike Mitchell to get more playing time this season.

Prediction- 3rd AFC West: I have the Chiefs just slightly ahead of the Raiders this season in the AFC West, but I believe both teams are going to be much improved and be right around the 8-8 mark this season. If Campbell exceeds expectations, the Raiders could compete for the division title.

See where I have the rest of the teams finishing the season in my 2010 NFL predictions. If you plan on betting the NFL this season, be sure to stop back for our live NFL odds each and every week.