Denver Broncos: Everything you need to know about loss to 49ers

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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Running back Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the football past outside linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos lost to the San Francisco 49ers in preseason play, but take heart, the number one defense was incredible.

The Denver Broncos may have lost to the San Francisco 49ers 24-15, but the story within the box score will reveal some very exciting things for Broncos Country.

Unfortunately, there are also some issues to work out, but you’re rarely going to see a flawless performance in the preseason nor are you really ever going to get a great look at your squad.

But this was a game featuring some very good play from the Denver Broncos’ defense, which we’ll talk about in detail, including a performance by Bradley Chubb that had fans talking about Defensive Player of the Year on Twitter.

There was also a holding penalty by Garett Bolles that had many fans clamoring for a solution at left tackle.

Overreactions happen on both ends of the spectrum (although Bolles has to be better).

Over the course of the rest of this post, you’ll find:

Highlights of big plays
Injury updates
Depth chart updates
How the QBs looked
What the concerns are
Clear areas of strength/improvement
And more

The Broncos welcomed back Emmanuel Sanders, who played in his first football game since an Achilles injury in practice last December. Sanders was roughly 2.5 months ahead of the average recovery from an Achilles rupture.

Many key players didn’t play for the Broncos and 49ers in this one, including:

Starting RG Ron Leary
Starting(?) TE Jeff Heuerman
Starting CB Bryce Callahan
Starting SS Kareem Jackson
Starting LB Todd Davis

among some other key reserves like FS Su’a Cravens and SS Will Parks.

The Broncos’ depth has been tested early in camp and it’s become a concern for many, but some of the guys providing the current depth provided some big plays against the 49ers.

Let’s take a look at how this one played out.

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