The Denver Broncos held on to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 11-10 in ugly fashion on Sunday Night Football in Week 3.
The Broncos’ offense was extremely sluggish in the first half, scoring just three points before going into halftime down 7-3.
In the second half, defensive lineman Mike Purcell forced 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out of the back of his own end zone for a safety to make it 7-5.
Denver later had a chance to take an 8-7 lead on a 53-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter, but kicker Brandon McManus hooked the kick wide right. San Francisco later kicked a 51-yard field goal to take a 10-5 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos’ offense finally got things going late in the fourth quarter with a 12-play, 80-yard yard that ended with a one-yard Melvin Gordon touchdown run that gave the Broncos an 11-10 lead.
Denver’s defense then clinched the win with back-to-back turnovers on the 49ers’ final two drives of the game. First, linebacker Jonas Griffith intercepted a Jimmy Garoppolo pass. Then after a Broncos punt, safety P.J. Locke forced a fumble that fellow defensive back Kareem Jackson recovered on San Francisco’s next drive.
The win did come at a cost for Denver as defensive lineman D.J. Jones (head) and outside linebacker Barron Browning (knee) both left the game with injuries.
It was ugly, but a win’s a win.
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. The Raiders have started the season 0-3 under new coach Josh McDaniels.
Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
