Predominantly Orange
FanSided

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

By Sayre Bedinger

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos strips the football away from quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos strips the football away from quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Observations: Defense

The Denver Broncos’ starting defense played 15 plays in this game. The results were staggering.

  • 32 yards allowed (12 on one run)
  • 1 INT
  • 1 FF
  • 1 sack
  • 2 batted passes
  • Another near pick-six

Most of that damage was caused by Bradley Chubb and Shelby Harris.

Chubb was responsible for the sack and forced fumble which was unfortunately recovered by the 49ers. He was responsible for the interception with the pressure he put on Jimmy Garoppolo, and was generally unstoppable every rep he got.

Harris was making plays against the pass with two batted balls at the line of scrimmage and a really nice play to blow up a screen.

Harris and Chubb were so good, I barely noticed Von Miller.

The Broncos’ secondary also looked really nice with Isaac Yiadom coming down with an interception and De’Vante Bausby nearly taking an interception to the house. He was thinking six before he caught the ball, and he ended up not catching it at all.

Defensive depth tested

The Broncos’ run defense was pretty well gashed in this game, something that simply cannot happen. They are going to need to make sure stopping the run is a priority so their pass rush can be as effective as possible.

The 49ers averaged 6.4 yards per carry on the ground.

The backups in the secondary were also picked apart. One player who had a tougher game than just about anyone on the field was backup cornerback Trey Johnson, who was absolutely shredded in coverage all night.

The crazy thing is, the 49ers only completed eight passes in this game. He was out of position on a few of their biggest plays.

The Broncos also clearly need some bodies at linebacker. I don’t know what Todd Davis’ ultimate status is, but they are literally running out of guys.

Guys were out there missing tackles and missing assignments, generally grasping at air by the time we got to the bottom of the 90-man roster.

Home/Broncos News