Forward of the Denver Broncos’ showdown with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night time Soccer this weekend, we requested Kyle Madson of Niners Wire 5 questions concerning the 49ers and their showdown with the Broncos.
Listed here are our questions and Kyle’s solutions!
1
There appears to be a sentiment amongst some followers and pundits that the 49ers are literally higher off (at the least within the short-term) with Jimmy Garoppolo than they had been with Trey Lance. Do you agree with that?
(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Yeah, positively. That was at all times going to be the case this season as a result of Lance nonetheless wanted improvement by in-game reps. The query wasn’t whether or not Garoppolo was higher in Week 3, the query is whether or not he’d be higher in Week 18 and past. Now the query marks are erased which supplies an air of stability when actually it’s simply the crew’s ground and ceiling condensing to restrict a number of the volatility Lance introduced. For now although, the 49ers have a greater probability to win in Denver in Week 3 than they might have with Lance below heart.
2
Protecting tight ends stays an issue for the Broncos. Does it seem like George Kittle is trending towards taking part in this week?
I used to be of the thoughts Kittle would play in Week 2, so my judgement on this hasn’t been nice. Nevertheless, head coach Kyle Shanahan seems to be far more assured this week than final that Kittle will play. The larger deal although is Kittle’s apply time. He was restricted final Friday for his first apply of the yr earlier than Week 2, after which he was again on the sphere Wednesday in a restricted style to begin Week 3 preparations. All indicators level to Kittle making his 2022 debut in Denver, barring a setback.
3
Who’s an underrated participant for San Francisco that Denver followers ought to concentrate on this week?
I’m undecided he qualifies as underrated since his pattern measurement as a starter is so small, however sturdy security Talanoa Hufanga has been electrical this yr. He was a fifth-round choose final yr out of USC and noticed some motion as a 3rd security, however largely contributed on particular groups. This yr he received the beginning SS job and is now the second-highest grades security within the NFL by two weeks by Professional Soccer Focus. He has a nostril for the soccer and his instincts are off the charts. He’s electrical getting downhill in opposition to the run, and he’s helped generate two turnovers within the passing sport. In the event you’re unfamiliar with Hufanga now, anticipate to listen to his title lots Sunday evening.
4
Do the 49ers have a key weak spot on offense or protection that the Broncos may be capable of exploit?
With Garoppolo at quarterback, the 49ers’ downfield passing sport as a result of practically nonexistent. Denver ought to be capable of crowd the field and funnel every part between the hashes the place Garoppolo thrives. San Francisco can nonetheless generate yards, however there’ll be at the least one interception there for the taking, and probably extra if the Broncos can drive the 49ers to play from behind.
5
How do you view the Broncos’ outlook, and what’s your prediction for Sunday?
Ask any 49ers fan or anybody who’s adopted the 49ers for the previous decade and so they’ll inform you that Denver can (will?) win as a result of Russell Wilson is below heart. He went a ridiculous 16-4 in 20 common season video games in opposition to San Francisco when he was the quarterback for the Seahawks. The 49ers’ protection is great, however free security Jimmie Ward is out with a hamstring harm which makes them extra inclined to large performs. FS Tashaun Gipson and Hufanga have been good within the again finish of the secondary, however they’ve not been examined by a QB or an offense as gifted as Denver’s. The Broncos’ purple zone woes could not matter if Wilson is lobbing moon pictures for lengthy TDs. Mix that with a nonetheless questionable 49ers’ offensive entrance in opposition to an excellent Denver protection and there’s an actual probability this sport turns into an uphill climb for a San Francisco crew that’s not constructed to play from behind. Give me the Broncos in a decent one, 24-20.