Broncos (5-12 last season) vs 49ers (15-5 last year)
Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers 8/19/2023 — The Broncos enlisted Payton’s services to rejuvenate the team culture following a meager five-win performance in 2022. However, their efforts didn’t halt there; they additionally brought on board several key veterans who hold the potential to steer the team toward a positive transformation. To fortify their wide receiver options this season, they secured the talents of Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims through the draft and receiver Marquez Callaway via free agency. Jerry Jeudy, an experienced wide receiver entering his third season, is poised for improvement this year, particularly under Payton’s mentorship. Adding to their roster, the Broncos also made a notable acquisition in Samaje Perine, a seasoned running back from the Bengals.
As the new season unfolds, setting a goal akin to the 49ers’ 13-win performance in 2022 appears reasonable for the Broncos, especially within the context of the comparatively weakened NFC West Division in 2023. In contrast, the 49ers’ lineup is already positioned for success in the ongoing year, leading them to refrain from making significant offseason augmentations. Their strategies included enlisting lineman Jon Feliciano and quarterback Sam Darnold to enhance quarterback depth. Furthermore, the Niners bolstered their secondary with the signings of cornerbacks Myles Hartsfield and Isaiah Oliver, while DT Javon Hargrave and DE Clelin Ferrell were brought in to fortify the team’s defensive line reserves.
Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers Game Info
Time: 8:30 PM ET.
Date: Saturday, August 19, 2023
Venue: Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, CA
TV: NFL Network
Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson and San Francisco 49ers QB Josh Johnson
The introduction of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos lineup, a team that already boasted a playoff-caliber defense in 2022, fueled high expectations. Regrettably, the synergy between Wilson and head coach Paul Hackett never materialized, leading to Hackett’s departure before the season’s conclusion. To rectify the situation, the Broncos management opted to enlist Sean Payton as the head coach for this season, turning to a former Super Bowl champion once again. Payton faces the challenge of rapidly forging a winning team in Denver and steering Wilson’s prospects toward a positive trajectory this year.
In their recent matchup, the 49ers fell to the Eagles with a final score of 31-7. Josh Johnson, the quarterback, secured a 70.7 quarterback rating, amassing 74 yards from completing 7 out of 13 passes. Impressively, he remained interception-free and maintained an average of 5.7 yards per pass attempt. Christian McCaffrey carried the ball 15 times for the 49ers, accumulating 84 yards and boasting an average of 5.6 yards per carry by the end of the game. Leading the receiving efforts for the team, Deebo Samuel caught three passes for a total of 33 yards, translating to an average of 11.0 yards per reception.
Odds/Point Spread: Denver Broncos -4.5, Total Odds: 39
Following Wilson and his team’s participation in the initial game, the Broncos conveyed their intention to deploy their primary players for a substantial portion of the preseason. As the second game unfolds in San Francisco, it is expected that Payton will again involve a selection of his starters. However, the likelihood of Wilson or other key starters playing beyond the first half remains low. It’s improbable that Purdy will see action for more than a couple of preseason games for the Niners, even if he receives some playing time in the upcoming Saturday match.
Despite his underwhelming performance in the first game, Lance is anticipated to elevate his performance in this match due to the concern of losing his #2 position to Darnold. Given the subpar showing of Denver’s backup defense in their opening game against a less formidable Cardinals team, Lance should succeed in advancing the ball against them. During Saturday night’s game, Darnold is expected to enter the field and exploit the Broncos’ backup and third-string players to his advantage.
Denver Broncos Betting Trends
- Denver is 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games over San Francisco.
- The Denver Broncos are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games against the 49ers.
- The Broncos are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games on the road.
- The team is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games against the San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers Betting Trends
- The total stayed UNDER in 9 of San Francisco’s last 13 games with the Broncos.
- The San Francisco 49ers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games at home.
- The 49ers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games at home against Denver.
- The total went OVER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 5 games against an opponent in the American Football Conference.
Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers Betting Trends
Despite the Broncos potentially missing several players, it’s worth noting that Wilson holds an impressive 16-4 career record against the 49ers. Neither team has allowed their opponents to surpass 260 yards of offense, suggesting that the outcome might hinge on which team manages to avoid turnovers. Anticipate at least one turnover from Garoppolo, and expect Wilson to lead a decisive game-winning drive. This points towards considering the BRONCOS (+102) as the favorable choice.
It’s worth highlighting that the Broncos have yet to cover the spread in their two games this season, while the 49ers hold a 1-1 ATS record. With a narrow 1.5-point spread, the selection process mimics the money line, where the victor is chosen. Even though the Broncos have been engaged in two close games, this week could mark their breakthrough for a victory.
Denver Broncos vs San Francisco: Thus far, neither team has seen a game exceed the Over mark. The 49ers’ games have culminated in total scores of 29 and 34 points, while the Broncos have notched 33 and 25 points in their two games. Both teams boast tenacious defenses. Unfortunately, the Broncos haven’t yet realized the offensive surge they anticipated, with Wilson leading the offense. Consequently, opting for UNDER 44.5 seems prudent.
Free Pick and Prediction: The Denver Broncos will win 24-21.
