The Denver Broncos rolled into Santa Clara fresh off two thrilling comeback wins, but their trip west to face the San Francisco 49ers turned into a full-blown reality check. The offense started slow, like, really slow, and even though the defense battled hard against a tough 49ers offense, some tough calls and bad bounces just pushed the game out of reach. The Broncos tried to spark a comeback, but a long George Kittle touchdown reception slammed the door shut on any hopes. After a gut-punch loss like that, it’s no surprise some stock is trending way down, but a few players actually showed some real fight.
Nix’s Early Game Woes Were a Hard Pill to Swallow
Look, no one’s putting this all on Bo Nix. He got zero run game help, costly drops were happening, and honestly, the play-caller needs to answer some questions. Plus, those penalties killed drives. But man, Nix didn’t exactly light it up either. He was routinely dumping off passes, off target way too often, and led that Broncos offense to a measly 3 points through the first three quarters. They did manage to put up 11 points in the fourth, but by then it was too little, too late. The whole offense, from the guy calling the plays to the quarterback, the playmakers, and the offensive line, just has to be better. Backup Jarrett Stidham and third-stringer Sam Ehlinger weren’t even a factor in this one.
Then there’s JK Dobbins. Stock way down. The veteran running back just doesn’t look right out there. His role feels reduced, and the production simply isn’t there. Sure, he finally got going a little on the Broncos’ lone touchdown drive, but overall, it was another seriously disappointing effort.
Harvey and Badie Are Showing Out When It Matters
While things looked bleak, a couple of young backs are absolutely flashing and proving they deserve more. RJ Harvey’s stock is soaring, and you love to see it. The numbers won’t jump off the page at 25 yards on the ground, but he had a team-leading 68 receiving yards and was used like the starter. More importantly, he produced like one. He ran tough, showed off some real speed, broke tackles, and was hands down the Broncos’ most consistent playmaker all game. You cannot ask for more from a guy in a tough spot.
Tyler Badie also saw his stock shoot up. This guy is productive, period. He ripped off yet another 20-plus yard catch-and-run, added 2 carries for 7 yards, and even punched in the Broncos’ two-point conversion. His main gig is still that third-down pass blocker role, but he’s making plays every time his number is called. Honestly, he absolutely deserves more touches moving forward. On the other hand, Adam Prentice only played 7 offensive snaps, though he was a special teams workhorse with 62% of those snaps. And Jaylen Waddle, while he did snag his first touchdown as a Bronco, his usage remains a complete puzzle.
This loss was a punch to the gut after those previous comeback wins. The offense needs to find its rhythm fast, and the coaching staff has to figure out how to consistently get their best playmakers the ball. With guys like Harvey and Badie stepping up, they’ve got some talent, but they’ve gotta put it all together.
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.
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