The 49ers gutted out a victory against a tough Bronco’s squad. The 49ers and Broncos mirror each other in several key ways. Both teams have innovative offensive minds at head coach. The 49ers and Broncos also share seasoned defensive coordinators. Finally, the Broncos have signed three 49ers draft picks in free agency; D.J. Jones, Mike McGlinchey and Talanoa Hufanga.
The Broncos also signed Dre Greenlaw to a three-year contract only to cut him at the end of last season. Greenlaw led the 49ers in tackles today.
The Broncos are a talented well coached team. They were the toughest test the 49ers have faced this season. Today was the first game this year the 49ers failed to score on their opening drive. The Broncos defense played a well thought out game, stoning the run while executing blanketing coverage. Thankfully Brock Purdy and his teammates were used to practicing against another defense who plays the same way.
The first half of the game was a defensive slug fest. When the Niners had a chance to break the three all tie, Bronco’s defensive lineman Zach Allen burst thru the line to block a 54-yard field goal attempt.
The second half appeared to be more of the same when the Broncos defense managed to stall the 49ers opening second half drive. Then a familiar routine unfolded where the Niners defense forced a three and out and then the Bronco’s forced yet another three and out.
The game finally broke open when Sirian Neal shoestring tackled the Broncos punt returner. As the returner went down, he fumbled the ball when his wrist contacted the ground. Suddenly the 49ers only had 28 yards to go. The drive took nine plays and a fourth down conversion. Deebo Samuel ended the drive with an easy touchdown catch after Purdy was flushed out of the pocket was forced to look for answers.
Though the Broncos scored first, every time the 49ers scored, Denver seemed to have an answer. The Broncos came back to score a field goal on the next drive. Then, the Niners drove 74 yards in six minutes for a Christian McCaffrey touchdown. Denver followed up with a four minute, seven play explosive touchdown drive closing the gap to three points yet again.
Last week the Broncos came back from a 16-point deficit to win the game. This week Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy, Jake Brendel and George Kittle had something to say about that. On a second and eight, with a little over two minutes to go in the game, Purdy takes the snap with defenders bearing down on him. In the face of a massive Bronco’s blitz, Purdy threw a strike to Kittle on a tight end screen play. Brendel threw the key block. Kittle, bright yellow mane flowing, streaked down the field to capstone the victory with his fourth touchdown reception of the year.
Though injuries continue to pile up, Niners Coaching staff has found a rotation on offense and defense that is working. Christian McCaffrey is staying fresh. Mike Evans remains fresh to play the downs he needs to. The defensive line runs a healthy rotation with only Osa Odighizuwa playing the majority of the snaps. Though Greenlaw, Evans, Lenoir and Halton all left last week’s game with injuries, they all played today.
It is notable that the future of the Niners defensive line is bright. Rookies Gracen Halton and Romello Height play all over the line. Each lined up in the interior as well as the edges, providing consistent pressure and key run stops.
Today, Coach Shanahan coached his 167th 49ers game, surpassing the late great Bill Walsh’s 166. Coach Shanahan recently signed a lucrative extension. He isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Today was his 95th 49ers win. We look forward to many more. On to Seattle.
