The Denver Broncos will have their hands full on Sunday as they face a tough test on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, who possess the NFL’s most explosive offense coming into the matchup.
Denver Broncos gearing up to face NFL’s most explosive offense on Sunday
So far through three weeks of the NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers offense dismantled the Los Angeles Rams, dominated the Miami Dolphins, and outlasted the Arizona Cardinals.
Whether in a close win or two blowouts, the 49ers offense hasn’t been an issue for them this season, and they’ve been on a roll.
Broncos defense has to sack Brock Purdy
Through three weeks, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy hasn’t been sacked so far, and that trend will have to change on Sunday if the Broncos want to put themselves in a good position to win.
Part of the reason is that Purdy and the 49ers offense lead the NFL in yards per play (7.35) and are the league’s 2nd-best scoring offense, averaging 32.7 points per game. Their success on early downs has helped them stay on schedule, and they have balance and consistency with their rushing offense and passing attack.
They’re the NFL’s best third-down defense, converting 62.96% of their attempts, including going 5-for-8 last week against the Cardinals. San Francisco has also established themselves as the NFL’s best red-zone offense, converting 90% of their attempts through three weeks.
To put it bluntly, the Broncos’ defense, which has been susceptible to giving up some big plays this season, has their work cut out for them against a 49ers offense that is Top 6 in every major category through three weeks of play.
49ers weapons are healthy and productive
Outside of Mike Evans being considered day-to-day with a rib injury, the San Francisco 49ers are as healthy as they can be at the skill player position.
Christian McCaffrey leads the way with 166 rushing yards and has contributed 104 yards in the receiving department to produce as an all-around threat. George Kittle, who was coming off of an Achilles injury from last season, looks like he hasn’t missed a beat as an all-around blocking and receiving threat, hauling in two touchdowns last week against the Cardinals.
Brock Purdy has nine passing touchdowns this season on 83 passing attempts, converting 72.3% of his passes in what has been a strong start for him.
Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, Talanoa Hufanga, Ja’Quan McMillian, and Brandon Jones will be tasked with putting a cap on San Francisco’s explosive offense, while Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, and Malcolm Roach will have to not only shut down the run game, but try to disrupt and hit Purdy more than he’s been hit this season.
Winning the early downs will be an important key for this Broncos defense, which is currently bottom ten in the NFL in net yards per game, passing yards per game, rushing yards per game, and third-down success rate.
