Denver just took a brutal 24-14 L from the 49ers, and honestly, it felt like the entire game was cursed for them. They started slow, got hit with some brutal injuries, and absolutely could not get luck to go their way. They almost pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback, but it just slipped away late. Now they’re sitting at 2-2, and next week is a huge AFC West matchup against the Chargers. They absolutely need to win that one to avoid falling below .500. It was the same old story: slow offense, tough defense, killer penalties, killer injuries, offense finally woke up late, but the defense couldn’t seal the deal.
The Injury Bug Bit HARD
Seriously, the Broncos got absolutely wrecked by injuries in this one, and it took out some major players. Pat Surtain II went down with a non-contact injury and needed two trainers to help him off the field. You never, ever want to see that. Then Riley Moss, who’s already dealt with a rib injury this season, missed the entire second half because of it again. And to top it all off, Pat Bryant was carted off with what looked like a nasty leg injury. We don’t have any updates on how bad these are yet, but for real, that’s three big names that could be out. Losing that many key guys is just brutal and can absolutely derail a season fast.
Marvin Mims Jr.’s Fumble: A Game-Altering Call
Okay, can we talk about Marvin Mims Jr.’s fumble? Because, come on, was he down or not? It looked like his forearm clearly hit the ground before the ball came loose! But no, they ruled it a fumble, Niners’ ball. That play was a dagger, plain and simple. It led directly to a 49ers touchdown and completely flipped the momentum of the game. The Broncos never recovered after that, losing control, and honestly, that’s where they lost the game. Mims has had a forgettable start to the season, already missing games due to injury, and now this costly fumble? He’s playing for a new contract, and this isn’t the highlight reel he needs.
Offense Couldn’t Get Out of Its Own Way Until Too Late
All week, the talk was about starting fast, right? Well, the Broncos’ offense clearly didn’t get the memo. They managed a pathetic 3 points through *three quarters*. Three points! They finally woke up in the fourth quarter, but by then, it was way too little, way too late. Nix was hot and cold all game, the run game was basically invisible until the very end, and their playmakers just weren’t making plays when it mattered most. They had no answer for the 49ers’ constant pressure, either. This kind of start just isn’t going to cut it against good teams.
Next week, it’s an AFC West battle royale against the Chargers. This is massive. If Denver can’t figure out how to put a full game together and clean up these mistakes, they’re looking at a losing record. They’ve gotta show up for that one, or things could get really ugly really fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
Leave a Reply