Stephen Nover's NFL Sunday Night Blockbuster
(NFL) San Francisco vs. Denver, 09/25/2022 8:20 PM, Score: 10 - 11
Money Line: -119.00 San Francisco (Away)
Result: Loss
Right now the Broncos aren't very good. They lost to the Seahawks and had to struggle at home to get past the Texans. Russell Wilson hasn't looked any better than he did last season when he had an off-season failing to meet his lofty standards of past seasons. New Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett's decision making has come under serious scrutiny. Discipline has slipped, too, with the Broncos committing 25 penalties.  

The 49ers may have caught an unintended break with Trey Lance suffering a season-ending broken ankle. That's bad for Lance and the 49ers long-term. However, short-term they now will have more experienced, reliable and accurate passing with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. It's easy to knock Garoppolo, who certainly doesn't have Lance's mobility and big-play ability, but San Francisco is 31-14 in his starts. That's a 69 percent winning percentage. 

Denver's secondary already has taken a massive hit with safety Justin Simmons out with a thigh injury and Patrick Surtain questionable with a shoulder injury. The Broncos are stepping way up in class after going against the pop-gun attacks of the Seahawks and Texans. It's an added plus for the 49ers if George Kittle is ready to make his season debut as expected He's arguably the best all around tight end in football. 

San Francisco has an elite defense. It held the Bears and Seahawks each to fewer than 220 yards. The 49ers know Wilson well from having played him twice each year in the NFC West Division for 10 years. The Broncos haven't meshed yet with their new quarterback by dropping passes, committing way too many penalties and failing to score TD's in the red zone.