Two reasons Broncos are facing a much better 49ers team

The Denver Broncos have not looked good so far this season and they might be catching the San Francisco 49ers at the wrong time.

The 49ers were a favorite of many to be one of the NFC’s best teams this season but they, like the Broncos, got off to a sluggish start by losing to the Chicago Bears in sloppy conditions in Week 1.

But the Niners bounced back last week, taking care of the team that beat the Broncos in Week 1, the Seattle Seahawks. But they didn’t start out great in that game either.

Quarterback Trey Lance went down with what ended up being a season-ending ankle injury and Jimmy Garoppolo came on in relief, injecting some life into the offense and helping the Niners pull away to a 20-point victory.

The 49ers were leading the game 3-0 when Garoppolo took the field. He led the team on three touchdown drives, throwing one and running for another. The Broncos would have fared better this Sunday night against the younger and far more inexperienced Lance.

The 49ers are a better team with Garoppolo at quarterback. Though he was the subject of trade rumors all offseason, San Francisco has to be quite thrilled that it didn’t deal the veteran passer.

And now this week against Denver, Garoppolo will get his favorite target in the passing game back as tight end George Kittle is set to make his season debut. Though Kittle has dealt with injury concerns throughout his career, he is easily one of the league’s best tight ends when he is available.

He’s hurt the Broncos before too.

The last time these two teams played in the regular season, Kittle caught seven passes for 210 yards. That included an 85-yard touchdown reception.

The 49ers are a better team with Garoppolo at quarterback and when Kittle is thrown into the mix, the Broncos will be facing one of the NFC’s most complete teams on Sunday night.