Key Takeaways as 49ers quarterbacks all deliver in preseason win over Broncos
The 49ers claimed a dramatic preseason triumph on Saturday as Trey Lance led a game-winning drive to secure a 21-20 victory over the Broncos. A game that started with Brock Purdy featuring in an NFL game for the first time since tearing an elbow ligament in the NFC Championship Game ended with Lance, displaced as […]
The 49ers claimed a dramatic preseason triumph on Saturday as Trey Lance led a game-winning drive to secure a 21-20 victory over the Broncos.
A game that started with Brock Purdy featuring in an NFL game for the first time since tearing an elbow ligament in the NFC Championship Game ended with Lance, displaced as the starter by a combination of injury and Purdy’s emergence, guiding the 49ers downfield to set up a 32-yard field goal attempt that Jake Moody snuck through the uprights.
San Francisco had trailed 20-12 in the fourth quarter but Lance discovered confidence that was conspicuous by its absence last week against the Raiders to complete a thrilling turnaround.
It was not all good for the 49ers, but the takeaways from an exciting victory were largely positive.
Quarterback positives abound
Purdy only played one series, but what he produced on that drive should serve to extinguish any lingering doubts about his ability to perform in a live-game situation following offseason elbow surgery.
Aided by play-calling that got him out of the pocket and yards after the catch from Deebo Samuel, Purdy went four of five for 65 yards, showing poise and an evident sharpness in leading the 49ers on a drive that took them to the two-yard line before a sack eventually led San Francisco to settle for a short field goal.
That was all the 49ers needed to see from Purdy, and Kyle Shanahan will have been largely pleased with what he got from both of the backups thereafter.
Sam Darnold produced some impressive blitz-beating throws and stayed composed under heavy fire from the Broncos defense, his interception one that deflected off the helmet of rookie receiver Ronnie Bell.
He recovered from that setback to lead the Niners’ first touchdown drive capped by a throw to Jack Colletto and finished 11 of 14 for 109 yards. Darnold’s stat line would have been even better had a 21-yard completion to Jauan Jennings not been wiped out by penalty, and his effort might have boosted his hopes of being the second-string quarterback if not for Lance’s heroics.
Lance threw an interception of his own on a ball batted into the arms of a defensive lineman and looked sped up early playing behind the third-string offensive line.
But he found his rhythm in a big way on his penultimate drive, making five straight completions, his fifth a touchdown throw up the seam to Cameron Latu.
After a celebration penalty prevented Lance from being in a position to make the two-point conversion, a quick defensive stop gave him a shot at a game-winning drive, and he did not fluff his lines as a 43-yard catch and run from Bell helped tee up Moody.
It may have only been a preseason game, but for Lance – who finished 12 of 18 for 173 yards – the spectacular finish could prove to be a huge boost for a player who hasn’t had the on-field opportunities to develop confidence at the highest level.
Special teams struggles for consistency
A week on from Moody’s disappointing debut as the 49ers’ kicker, special teams miscues were once again a defining feature of San Francisco’s performance.
Moody made a 20-yarder on the opening drive and eventually redeemed himself for a missed extra point with a 43-yarder and then the game-winner from 32 yards but right now his field goal attempts appear something of a lottery.
On top of the third-round pick’s roller coaster evening, the Niners saw D’Shawn Jamison muff a punt and set up a Broncos touchdown, while a huge kick return from Jaleel McLaughlin put Denver in position to go ahead 20-12 on another scoring drive.
Add in a series of shanked punts from Mitch Wishnowsky, and this was a night that gave special teams coach Brian Schneider plenty to correct.
O-Line depth remains an issue
For as much as all three quarterbacks enjoyed success, Darnold and Lance found themselves under consistent pressure behind the backup offensive lines.
That comes with the territory of playing with the second and third string, but the lack of dependable pass protection from the reserves on the interior line is likely to be of concern to Shanahan.
Darnold in particular was forced to throw with pressure in his face and often had to scramble as the Broncos’ ploy of continually blitzing their linebackers caused substantial problems in the trenches for the Niners.
He was sacked by Randy Gregory and Zach Allen and could have taken more punishment if not for his ability to deliver accurately under pressure and escape the pocket.
San Francisco’s starting O-Line did give up a sack on Purdy but, for the most part, he was well protected. The 49ers have enough insurance at quarterback to stay in the mix even with injuries there, it’s potential losses on the offensive line that loom as possible knockout blows.
D-Line dominates
The San Francisco defensive line struggled to make much of an impact last week against the Raiders, but it was clear from the jump it would have an influence in this one.
With Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead infused into the lineup for the first series, the 49ers bullied the Broncos up front. Hargrave and Clelin Ferrell – who had the Niners’ only sack last week – were consistently in the backfield, with Russell Wilson regularly resorting to scrambles to move the ball.
The 49er defense continued to dominate up front even after Hargrave and Armstead departed, with defensive tackles Marlon Davidson and T.Y. McGill each recording a sack
There was some bad news for the defensive front as Kerry Hyder Jr. suffered a shoulder injury but, with Nick Bosa still holding out amid an impasse over a contract extension, the 49ers have to be extremely excited by what they saw from those who will line up alongside him and some of those further down the defensive line depth chart.
On top of the success of the quarterbacks and the defensive line, the 49ers look to have unearthed several rookie gems this offseason, with seventh-round picks Bell and Jalen Graham chief among them. Bell went for 114 yards receiving and Graham took over as the second-string Mike linebacker behind Fred Warner, a clear sign he has vaulted up the depth chart.
There are still obvious areas for improvement but, after a fightback in front of their home fans, the 49ers can afford to feel extremely satisfied with their overall roster health and a lot more comfortable about their quarterback room.
Brock Purdy calms any concerns about elbow injury with encouraging preseason display
The 49ers’ quarterback looked sharp on his return to game action.
Featured Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
