Week 3 Game Preview: 49ers @ Broncos

By Scooter_McG

The 49ers travel to Denver to take on the Broncos in week 3, in a battle that will pitch two pre-season Super Bowl hopefuls against each other. Both teams enter the game with records of 1 win and 1 loss, including disappointing losses to weaker opponents in week 1 where both teams were guilty of beating themselves. Both teams rebounded with week 2 victories, however, while the 49ers made fairly easy work of the Seahawks, the Broncos had a tougher time with the Texans. 

The 49ers enter the game with a new starting QB, albeit a familiar face, as Jimmy Garoppolo takes over following Trey Lance's unfortunate season ending injury against the Seahawks. For most teams losing the starting QB for the year would be signal the end of their season, but the 49ers are in a fortunate position of having the man that took them to two NFCCGs and one Super Bowl in the past three seasons ready to step in. The main question for Jimmy G will be how rusty he is following off season shoulder surgery and limited practice time during pre-season.

JG will be helped by having George Kittle return for his first action of the season, in a big boon for the 49ers. However, Armstead is questionable after missing practice this week.  

The Broncos will be led by long time thorn in the 49ers side Russell Wilson. Wilson has looked below par through two weeks this season as he finds his footing in new environs, but the 49ers should know better than to treat him with anything less than the respect he deserves.

Here is what I see as the keys to victory in this one:

• The defense has been strong through two weeks, but Justin Fields in a monsoon and Geno Smith are not the biggest tests the 49ers will face this season. While Russell Wilson has yet to impress with the Broncos, the 49ers need to make sure they aren't the team that let him start 'cooking'. The pass rush needs to generate consistent pressure while also maintaining discipline to not allow him easy escape routes to extend plays where he is at his most dangerous.
• The strong play from the secondary and LBs will also need to continue this week, to make sure Wilson has no easy passes to get in a rhythm while also staying with their assignments when plays start to break down to not allow big explosives if Wilson is able to extend the play.
• Containing the Broncos running game will also be a key. The combination of Williams and Gordon are averaging around 5 yards per carry, which has helped the Broncos outgain their opponents by more than 50% in total yards through two games. 
• On offense, the 49ers could be in for a tough time. The Broncos defense has dominated their opponents through two games and come in to this week with the third ranked defense in total yards allowed. Both the run and pass defense has been stingy.
• The 49ers OL against the Broncos defensive front should be a real barometer of where the OL is at. The Broncos employ a 3-4 defense and boast a good defensive line (which includes former 49er DJ Jones in the middle who we know can be menace for opposing running games) and edge rushers in Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory. If they can generate holes for the running game and keep Jimmy G reasonably clean it will be a big step forward for the 49ers OL unit and is probably the biggest key to the 49ers offensive success this week.  
• The 49ers run game will likely need to power the offense this week and it will be important they are able to consistently pick up yards while also getting a few explosive runs. The Broncos pass defense is one of the best in the NFL and with Jimmy G somewhat underdone in terms of practice, things could get ugly if the game has to be put on Jimmy's (surgically repaired) shoulder. I'm expecting Deebo to get a lot of touches this week on runs and short passes. 
• Finally, and probably most importantly, the 49ers need to show the same level of discipline and attitude they displayed last week. This should be a tough game and the 49ers can ill afford a sloppy or ill disciplined performance.