Mile High Report
There was a bit of hype about the Denver Broncos first team offense and defense getting an easy game against the San Francisco 49ers backups. Instead, those backups basically punched Denver’s first teamers in the mouth. Bo Nix and the offense did nothing with their first two drives and even gave up a safety, which is probably why Sean Payton put them out there for a third series. That last series they produced a field goal, at least.
Meanwhile, the defense got roasted on the first drive giving up a quick touchdown. They at least got their act together fairly quickly from there and shut the 49ers offense down and even got a turnover in the process.
In reviewing the offensive drives, I think the issue came down to Nix missing several opportunities for big plays. In each of those deep passes, he underthrew the wide receiver and it was easily broken up. However, those guys were open and if Nix was more accurate with those throws the outcome of the drives is completely different. For now, I think we can chalk that up to just good old fashioned rust. I think the starting offense will be fine.
The Broncos’ starting defense came out to start the game. The only positions not manned by starters were both inside linebacker positions, but it was a 50 yard pass with Ja’Quan McMillian in coverage that set the 49ers up inside the red zone. They would go on to convert a fourth and inches behind a Mac Jones quarterback sneak and Patrick Mason Jr. bounced it outside on the very next play to cap San Francisco’s opening drive with a touchdown.
Denver’s starting offense didn’t fare much better. They made it to midfield before their drive stalled and were forced to punt it away. The special teams unit had problems on the return to give the 49ers excellent field position near midfield, but Nik Bonitto took over on three straight downs with two sacks and a what would have been a third had Jones not thrown it away. That finish the night for the Broncos’ defensive starters.
Bo Nix and the offense got another go at it late in the first quarter inside his own 10 yard line. After an incompletion and a short pass to RJ Harvey, Nix was pressured on back-to-back plays with unblocked receivers. Nix was in the end zone when he attempted to throw it away, but it didn’t reach the line of scrimmage to give the 49ers a free two points.
After a big time interception by McMillian to redeem himself, the Broncos first-team offense got a third series after such a slow start.
A big run on first down by Harvey got them into 49ers territory. Two plays later on third and five, Nix went deep to Troy Franklin but the ball was underthrown to bring up fourth down. They’d go for it on fourth down and Nix...
