The Denver Broncos had a rough time at it on the road in Kansas City when the area was experiencing a hot and humid weather event. Now in Week 4 they’ll be on the road again to play the San Francisco 49ers and it may end up being the hottest temperature in that stadium’s history with kickoff looking to be in the mid to low 90s.
“92 [degrees], yes,” Head coach Sean Payton said today when asked about the heat. “The old stadium was by the water, and it could get real cool. This one’s 45-50 minutes away.
We’ll have all the plans in the place.”
I wouldn’t normally worry about it, but its actually rare for Denver to be playing in heat like this. I had to go back to 2024 to a game in Tampa for a temperature at 85 degrees. They won that game. However, the only two games where kickoff was above 90 since 2024 appears to be the Week 1 loss to the Chiefs and this upcoming game.
One area the Broncos have struggled has been with time of possession. If that continues in this game, I do not believe the defense will be able to stay fresh enough in the heat to keep this game close. That is where the problem lies, in my opinion. Bo Nix and the offense has to keep their drives sustained to have a chance here.
Broncos daily recap
No Bull Perspective: Early season woes
The Broncos early game woes have more to do with the offensive line and running backs than Davis Webb or Bo Nix.
Scouting the Enemy: San Francisco 49ers
The Denver Broncos head on the road to battle the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Here is a deeper look at their Week 4 opponent.
Broncos know they need to start faster before slow starts catch up to them
The Broncos have overcome slow starts dating back to last season, but they know they can’t keep up this trend.
Potent quotables
Sean Payton
On appearing on ESPN’s ManningCast during Monday Night Football and the 20th anniversary of the reopening of New Orleans’ Superdome after Hurricane Katrina
“It doesn’t feel like 20 years, so I’ve probably already done three visits on it. There were so many things… I don’t know that any player or coach on that team when everyone kind of got there could expect what all of it was going to mean. I do remember this though, training camp was away because of facilities. It was a long training camp— it was seven weeks in Jackson, Mississippi. The preseason games, four at the time, our home games were Shreveport (Louisiana) and in Jackson. So it felt like you were gone forever. Then when we got back and started the regular season, it was at Cleveland, close win, at Green Bay, came back and won a big game. So a lot went into that. Atlanta was 2-0, we were 2-0 and that was really our first time just playing in that facility. So we went over there Friday night to get a practice in to get used to the lights and everything. But even with all that being said, as much as you try as a coach to prepare for what the environment’s going to be like, it’s hard to do that. So that was unique. We were going to rush one of the punts, and it just so happened on the first series, we get the three-and-out. We almost recover a fumble on third down, and it goes out of bounds. [Former Saints Special Teams Coordinator] John Bonamego said, ‘You want to rush the first one?’ I said, ‘Go ahead.’ [Former Saints S Steve] Gleason, his timing, those things [have] got to be hit just right. [It was] probably the loudest, it would be the loudest I’ve ever heard for a period of five minutes, and there was so much more to it than just football. So I think the feeling from a team standpoint is it’ll only be special if we win it though. So that was an important division game at that time with those two teams, both 2-0. So yes, all good.”
On the atmosphere during the Saints’ first home game after Hurricane Katrina
“It was a much bigger… There were so many other people that maybe normally wouldn’t be at a Saints game. Then there was a lot of symbolism, obviously, as the first event back there at a place that was literally broken. Yes, there’s nothing, like I said, none of us could have envisioned what was going to become of that season.”
On if he ever watches the ManningCast
“I don’t. We’re game planning, so I’m on for a brief period of time. I was fired up when [Pro Football Hall of Fame QB] Peyton [Manning] said that they were paying half a million dollars to each guest. (Laughs) I’m kidding. Yes, all good. Both Peyton, [former NFL QB] Eli [Manning], Cooper [Manning] all grew up and went to high school there. I got real close to their family when I got hired. [Former NFL QB] Archie [Manning] and Olivia [Manning] are still there, and of course Cooper and his wife. But usually on Mondays, and this will be just a step away and then go back into meetings. I know it’ll be a meaningful game for the city.”
On the growth he has seen from G Quinn Meinerz
“It starts with—a lot of things with him, his athleticism is rare. So then you put that with the work ethic, the toughness. It wasn’t long ago, I remember looking at the draft stuff, and then every once in a while you’ll get some video and he was running through the woods with a tree on his back. You separate yourself when one of those videos comes out. I’ve seen a guy jump out of a swimming pool, land on the concrete with two feet. So I’d always remember, You’re the guy that jumped out of the swimming pool.’ But besides that, holy cow. I think a lot of it’s just his passion. He loves football, loves his teammates. It’s contagious, but you have to be a real good athlete at that size to do the stuff he’s doing.”
On whether the team highlights film of the offensive line in team meetings
“Yes, we’ll pull them up every once in a while. Obviously it’s the most important position in your building because it can permeate the building if you’ve got the right group. He’s certainly a huge part of that.”
On if G Quinn Meinerz’s block on Rams DE Aaron Donald was shown this week
“No, I think there’s enough social media clips of it. Look, there’s a lot of respect for him, but we’ve all seen those clips of great defensive linemen or great offensive linemen. If they get leverage the right way, you’ve seen [Pro Football Hall of Fame DT] Reggie White lift a tackle in the air. When you play this game long enough, you’re probably going to be on both ends of that, and that’s why they’re the elite Pro Bowl All-Pro players at their level and you don’t get surprised when you see it.”
On what stood out about T Mike McGlinchey when evaluating him ahead of his first free agency in Denver
“[He’s] smart, tough. We had a clear vision for right tackle. We had seen it. Both he and [G] Ben [Powers] were key targets for us because we wanted that position room to really take on a completely new group, if you will, some of the guys that are here or that were there starting. So we each had a vision for what they did really well. [T] Mike [McGlinchey] has great pedigree. He’s a healthy player, it’s important to him, he’s played in big games, he’s won. That trait when you’re coaching, and game planning, and you know exactly what you’re going to get from a player is a real good trait. It’s much more difficult if you don’t know week-to-week what you’re going to get. So with Mike, you do know what you’re going to get and it’s a good thing.”
On facing 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw
“He’s such a passionate player. [I’m] a huge fan and it’s why we signed him. He got nicked up, and the injury bug was something that he was fighting, but just that process of getting to know him and him being here, I feel like we’re better for it. He’s exactly what you’re looking for in a football player, not any position specific, but it’s all football.”
On what they have to do to make sure 49ers LB Fred Warner doesn’t take over the game
“It’s a great question. He’s prototype, height, weight, size, speed. Then you have high football intelligence. When you’re putting certain plays in the plan, you have to think about, ‘How’s this going to impact… Where’s he at?’ Then, ‘How do we plan accordingly?’ He’s the bell cow of what starts with their defense. They’ve had a real great run on linebackers there, and he certainly is one that he’s fun to watch when you look at the tape. It all starts with him. He’s the green dot. When you put the athleticism, and the range and the intelligence, all those traits together, you get a real special player.”
On his first interaction with 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
“Just firsthand, when he was in Atlanta, there were I don’t know how many years where we were seeing him twice a season. I would say this, there are so many things he does well. He—like his father [Broncos Ring of Fame Head Coach Mike Shanahan]—it started with an elite run-game plan. That hasn’t changed. Some of the play-actions that come off of that run game, I can recall snaps in Atlanta where [former Falcons QB] Matt [Ryan] is extending the ball, and then all of the sudden pulls it up, and you look down the field and there’s somebody wide open. That’s just one element of what makes him special. I think that balance relative to run and pass. We had a number of years together in the division, and then over the years as he’s become a head coach and you’re at Owners Meetings and Combines. I’m close with his father. So we have a great relationship.”
On if he sees 49ers Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris’ imprint on the defense
“Yes. That was important this week in studying the cut-ups because you’re trying to track… You have three games, and then what are we tracking back? He’s done a real good job defensively. They’re playing real good red-zone defense. They present a lot of problems.”
On if he feels like he had more input this week since he has faced 49ers Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris so many times
“There’s so much more film that we’re all looking at. We all see it. The defense was different. This goes all the way back to when he was at Tampa. So I’ve known [49ers Defensive Coordinator] Raheem [Morris] for ages. Joint practice here with the Rams. He was in Atlanta. He’s a tremendous coach with great juice. There’s a group of guys that he has real close friendships with. I’m glad they’re in the NFC. You see him hopefully one every four times, and maybe the final game. It’s a well-coached team.”
On grading QB Bo Nix’s batted passes and if some of them are graded as good defensive plays
“Sometimes you just have to be careful when you look at it relative to the pocket. Sometimes it’s anticipation with an interior throw. If it’s an epidemic, then we’re going to talk about it more, but I think in a game… Sometimes it’s a sign of someone on the defensive line that’s very well coached. If you feel like a certain quarterback is going to be tough to sack, then this is the time it’s getting thrown. Usually when that happens though, you know that defensive line’s getting coached well, if it comes up three times in a game for instance.”
On the importance of establishing the pocket with strong guard play
“You want that pocket. That spot behind the center three yards is premium turf for the quarterback and the defensive line. It’s important.”
On acquiring free agents from programs like the 49ers and how that experience factors in the equation
“The tiebreaker goes to make up, and I don’t even know if it’s a tie breaker. I think it starts there. Certainly when they’ve been at bigger programs… You’re visiting with a lot of different people. I think you’re taking all of that into… That has to be elite. That formula has worked.”
On the amount of former 49ers on the team
“So I did the list yesterday, and there were like eight. Not just players obviously, coaches, players, of course [DT] D.J. [Jones], ‘Huf’ (S Talanoa Hufanga). I was in New Orleans. We played [49ers Head Coach] Kyle [Shanahan]’s team twice. D.J. was there. I think he was hurt for one of the games. [Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Drew] Brees got hurt for one of the games. We lost one, won one. Huf wasn’t there yet, but there are a lot of imprints. There are some storylines I’m sure with both the teams. [49ers RB Christian] McCaffrey obviously, his first game [against the Broncos]. All of that is good.”
On how DT D.J. Jones has grown during his time in Denver
“He’s a leader. He’s really respected. He’s a smart football player. That’s a tough position to play when you’re down-in and down-out a lot of times getting a double team. He’s an important part of our fabric though I would say on this team.”
On 49ers President of Football Operations/General Manager John Lynch
“Special. Special traits. My first year or two, that was one of those elite defenses of course when they won the Super Bowl [in Tampa Bay]. [Former NFL Defensive Coordinator] Monte Kiffin and [former NFL Head Coach Jon ] Gruden. There were so many ties back to that team. [49ers President of Football Operations/General Manager] John [Lynch], I’ve known for quite a while. For someone who went right from the booth to that role has been really impressive. That’s hard to do. That’s really hard to do. He and [49ers Head Coach] Kyle [Shanahan], those guys have done a great job when you just look at wins and losses. Every year they’re one of those teams that’s in it. You appreciate the staying power they have.”
Under the radar
The Feed
Post your own thoughts on MHR’s Feed.
