The Denver Broncos head to the West Coast this weekend for an intriguing Week 4 interconference test against the San Francisco 49ers. Set for Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, this matchup gives a resilient Broncos bunch an opportunity to pull off another upset win against a favored NFC West opponent – this time, against an unbeaten 49ers team. While the storyline focuses on San Francisco’s offensive weapons – namely, quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle – the game will ultimately be decided in the trenches. We’ll examine how Denver’s veteran tackles, Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey, hold up against San Francisco’s defensive front, and analyze whether the Broncos can generate enough disruption to slow a dynamic offensive machine.
Denver Broncos Offense Seeks Footing in Week 4
Head coach Sean Payton’s squad enters this contest with a 2-1 record, but the team is still searching for an offensive identity. Denver has struggled to consistently move the chains, managing 20.0 points per game to rank a below-average 21st in the NFL. The ground game has been a glaring vulnerability – churning out a mere 81.0 rushing yards per contest to sit 31st overall. A below-average passing attack netting 194.0 yards per game (22nd) has also left the Broncos managing just 275.0 total yards per game, placing them 28th.
On the other side of the ball, Denver’s defense sits just below average in scoring, surrendering 23.3 points per game (17th). They have been susceptible to surrendering yardage, ranking 29th in total yards allowed (380.7 per game), with a run defense yielding 143.7 yards per game (30th). The unit’s top-tier strength, however, remains hunting the quarterback, tying for seventh in the league with 2.67 sacks per game. They will need every ounce of that pass rush against Purdy, who has yet to take a sack this season.
49ers Strengths and Matchup Weaknesses to Exploit
The San Francisco 49ers present a formidable challenge, boasting an elite offensive attack that will test Denver across the board. San Francisco is lighting up the scoreboard with 32.7 points per game, ranking second in the league, while generating a top-tier 399.3 total yards per contest (fourth). Their situational dominance is even more daunting; they pace the entire NFL by converting 63.0% of their third downs and finding the end zone on a staggering 90.0% of their red-zone trips.
Defensively, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad is stingy, allowing just 16.7 points per game (tied for third-fewest). This isn’t a suffocating unit, however. San Francisco allows opponents to convert 42.9% of their third-down attempts, which ranks a below-average 20th in the NFL. Furthermore, their pass rush has been strictly middle-of-the-pack, registering 2.0 sacks per game (tied for 18th). This average pass-rushing form could be further compromised by edge rusher Nick Bosa’s knee injury. Bosa has already been ruled out for Sunday’s contest.
Keys to the Game: How Denver Attacks the 49ers
The storyline of this matchup lies in how Denver’s defense withstands San Francisco’s multifaceted rushing attack. The 49ers boast the league’s sixth-ranked ground game (136.3 yards per game), presenting a mismatch against a vulnerable, bottom-tier Denver run defense that surrenders 143.7 rushing yards per contest (30th). If the Broncos cannot plug the gaps early, they will fail to force predictable passing situations.
When San Francisco does drop back, Denver’s primary defensive strength – a top-tier pass rush generating 2.67 sacks per game (tied for seventh) will be essential in disrupting Purdy and preventing San Francisco from exploiting Denver’s 27th-ranked third-down defense (47.8% allowed). Those following the NFL prediction markets will recognize this trench battle as the game’s ultimate barometer.
When Denver possesses the ball, they face a 49ers defense yielding just 16.7 points per game. However, San Francisco has proven susceptible to extended drives, ranking a below-average 20th in third-down defense (42.9% allowed). Furthermore, the 49ers struggle to generate takeaways, tying for a below-average 23rd with just 0.67 turnovers forced per game. To orchestrate an upset, the Broncos must methodically exploit this third-down vulnerability. By extending drives and protecting the football, Denver can limit possessions and keep San Francisco’s high-octane scoring offense resting safely on the sideline.
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Sportradar Content Studio contributed to this story.
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