Well, that sucked.
The Denver Broncos started slow, suffered some tough injuries, did not have luck go their way, and could not complete the 4th quarter comeback vs. the 49ers. It was a tough game, but a winnable one for the Broncos that they let slip away late. They are now 2-2 and will have an AFC West Divisional matchup vs. the Chargers next week to avoid falling under .500.
As for winners and losers, it’s mostly the same story. Offense started slow, defense held tough, penalties sucked, injuries
sucked, offense came alive late, but the defense could not close it out for the Broncos. So, here are your winners and losers for the Denver Broncos after their 24-14 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.
LOSER – Injuries
Pat Surtain II – Non-contact and carted off
Riley Moss – Missed the entire second half with a rib injury
Pat Bryant – Was carted off with what looked to be a bad leg injury
The Broncos caught the injury bug today, and it hit some big names. Surtain II had a non-contact injury and needed to be helped off the field by two trainers. Not what you want. Riley Moss suffered a rib injury for a second time this season and missed the entire second half. Then, Pat Bryant was carted off with what looked like a bad leg injury.
We do not have updates on their statuses moving forward just yet, but we will keep you updated on any injury updates throughout the week.
LOSER – Marvin Mims Jr.
Was he down? It sure looked like it, but at the end of the day, they ruled it a fumble and the Niners’ ball. This led to a touchdown by the 49ers and flipped the momentum in their favor for the rest of the game. The Broncos could never recover from this, and ultimately, it was the point when they lost control of the game.
It has been a very forgettable start to the season for Marvin Mims Jr., who is playing for a new contract this season. He has missed multiple games due to injury and now has a costly fumble on his ledger.
Not great.
LOSER – Broncos offense
All the talk this week was about starting fast. Well, that did not happen. They had just 3 points through three quarters before coming alive in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late for the Broncos.
Nix was hit or miss throughout the game; the run game was not there until very late, and the Broncos’ playmakers did not make plays for the most part. They also had no answer for the 49ers’ sending the blitz and gave up some quick pressures throughout.
They cannot continue to rely on late 4th quarter comebacks against good teams. They do it well, but it’s going to bite them at times, and it happened today. This was a winnable game but the Broncos simply could not get anything going on offense.
We did see some good late, but that has been the story. We need to see this good throughout the game.
WINNER – RJ Harvey
The numbers are not great, but Harvey was the Broncos’ lone playmaker throughout the game. He had 7 carries for 25 yards but led the team with 10 receptions for 68 yards and also had a nice kick return late.
Again, it is nothing to write home about, but he is the Broncos’ most productive running back right now. He’s making plays in space, running hard, breaking tackles, and looks better than JK Dobbins who simply doesn’t look right.
LOSER – JK Dobbins
We need more.
Dobbins had some nice runs late, but finished with 11 carries for 40 yards and was mostly unproductive throughout the game. A lot of 3-yard gains and a cloud of dust.
I don’t know if he’s injured or what, but he seems to be lacking some of that juice we saw last season. He doesn’t look right, and we need more from him, or else the Broncos need to make a change in that running back room.
Rookie Jonah Coleman will be out the next two weeks at least.
WINNER – Tyler Badie
Again, it wasn’t a great day, but he made plays.
2 carries for 7 yards, 2 receptions for 32 yards, and converted a two-point conversion.
He’s making a case for more touches moving forward. Either way, the Broncos need more from their running backs.
LOSER – Broncos defense
This is a tough loser call because they played tough throughout, but they came up short when they needed them the most late.
They allowed 358 total yards, 218 passing yards, and 140 yards on the ground. They had no answer for Deebo Samuel throughout the game, allowed the Niners to get chunk plays on the ground, and allowed a long George Kittle touchdown late to put the nail in the coffin.
Also, their attempt to lead the NFL in sacks for a third straight season is in danger. Their pass rush has taken a step back this season and struggled to get consistent pressure on Brock Purdy throughout this game and was not able to bring him down for a sack. Purdy has yet to be sacked this season, and that streak extends into Week 5.
LOSER – Courtland Sutton
Sutton has been the Broncos’ longtime WR1, but he’s having a tough start to the 2026 season. The impact plays are not there, and today he had just 1 catch for 4 yards.
The hope of him giving the Broncos an explosive pairing with Jaylen Waddle seems to be dead right now.
LOSER – Davis Webb
The offensive struggles continue. How much longer can the Broncos allow him to call the plays before they need to make a switch? They sit at 2-2 and play the Chargers next week and then the Seahawks on a short week.
They need to improve and improve quickly.
Other notable winners and losers
- WR Jaylen Waddle – WINNER: Caught his first touchdown as a member of the Denver Broncos.
- TE Evan Engram – LOSER: The production simply isn’t there.
- CB Jahdae Barron – WINNER: Made some nice plays and will see plenty of playing time moving forward it seems.
- DL Zach Allen – WINNER: Blocked a field goal and was disruptive throughout the game.
- S Talanoa Hufanga – LOSER: Whiffed on a few tackle attempts.
- EDGE Nik Bonitto/Jonah Elliss/Que Robinson – LOSER: We need some pass rush.
- P Jeremy Crawshaw – WINNER: He has been booming punts all season.
- Penalties – LOSER: 7 flags for 44 yards while the Niners had just 1 for 5 yards.
