San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan continues to draw praise after Sunday night's win over the Chicago Bears, a victory that set up a high-stakes Week 18 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. On the line: the NFC West title, the NFC's No. 1 seed, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Oddsmakers are taking notice. After the win over Chicago, Shanahan holds the second-best odds (+150) to win AP Coach of the Year, per BetMGM, trailing only New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (+120).


Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, Shanahan's Week 18 counterpart, owns the next-best odds at +700.

What's driving Shanahan's surge? The 49ers are enjoying a late-season surge, and the coach has a reputation as a top offensive mind, as evidenced by his offense's recent performances. San Francisco's offense produced 440 total yards against Chicago, and the team has scored at least 42 points in its last two games and at least 37 in each game since the bye week.

Shanahan's 49ers have navigated a season filled with injuries yet still sit at 12-4. The team's ability to stay competitive and maintain a six-game win streak while overcoming adversity underscores the work of Shanahan and his staff, strengthening his case for Coach of the Year.

A win over Seattle could further boost the 49ers' Super Bowl chances in a season with no clear NFC favorite.

In the AFC, Vrabel has led the Patriots to a 13-3 record—including winning 12 of their last 13 games—and an AFC East title. New England enters Week 18 as the conference's No. 2 seed, behind the Denver Broncos.

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