Broncos earn 30-9 win over 49ers, however have ‘a number of things … to improve on’ as they appear forward

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Broncos scored 30 unanswered factors on Saturday en path to a 30-9 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

The efficiency got here on the heels of a joint observe towards the Niners that featured quite a lot of spotlight performs.

And but, it was clear within the aftermath of the Broncos’ preseason opener that there is loads to scrub up.

“Look, there will be a lot of film to cover,” Head Coach Sean Payton stated. “Not even from just the game, but also going back to the practice we had the other day. I thought we started slow. That was disappointing, both first units. There will be a handful of stuff we look at there. I think we were 0-for-4 [on] third down offensively, and then things began to pick up.”

The Broncos’ protection allowed an eight-play, 71-yard landing drive to start the sport, as Mac Jones linked with rookie vast receiver Jordan Watkins for a 50-yard achieve. Later within the possession, the 49ers transformed a fourth-down alternative to maintain the drive.

Denver’s offense, in the meantime, picked up two first downs on its preliminary drive earlier than being pressured to punt. On the subsequent possession, quarterback Bo Nix was whistled for an intentional grounding name in the long run zone that resulted in a security.

“There were just some things — before I even put the tape on — that we have to be prepared to clean up,” Payton stated. “And then some things that were a part of winning a game.”

After the gradual begins, each models did reply as the primary quarter progressed. Following the opening-drive landing, Denver’s first-team protection responded on its second sequence. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto recorded a stress on three consecutive snaps and was credited with a first-down sack to arrange a defensive cease. And whereas Denver’s beginning unit performed simply these two drives, a number of gamers remained in for extra snaps. Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian arrange Denver’s first scoring drive with a powerful diving interception.

That interception helped arrange Nix and Co. to get on the scoreboard of their remaining of three drives, as Nix accomplished a fourth-and-5 cross to Troy Franklin. The second-year receiver made a reaching seize, which was certainly one of his two grabs working with the first-team offense. Nix accomplished 6-of-11 passes for 31 yards and a 60.0 quarterback score in restricted motion.

“It’s a different evaluation, but I still evaluate [myself] pretty tough,” Nix stated of the postgame course of. “Obviously, there’s some things you can’t quite control for a preseason game. A lot you don’t really know going into it. My favorite part with the preseason is just reacting to what you get. Sometimes in the game, you’ve got to react because it’s not something you prepared for. That’s really how you can treat the preseason is just get out there and see things, react how you would and just take the ball where your eyes lead you. Like I said, it’s not always going to be planned. You’re not always going to be prepared for a look. That’s sometimes what preseason gives you a lot of.”

Following the preseason opener, the Broncos now transfer ahead to appropriate these errors. And Payton stated the groups “that do it best” have a “sense of urgency” in regards to the corrections.

“The importance coming off of a three-, four-day trip like this and a lot of plays is the debrief,” Payton stated. “Getting back home, cleaning things up. There were a number of things that we’re going to have to improve on — missed some protections. And then there will be a lot of positives too. The key is the evaluation of these players. And getting a chance to have better tape and to help make the decision process for us a little bit easier.”

HARVEY GETS START, WILL CONTINUE TO SEE WORK

Rookie operating again RJ Harvey formally earned the beginning on Saturday, and he recorded eight touches — seven rushes and one reception — for 29 yards. On one early snap, he seemingly was going to be stopped close to the road of scrimmage earlier than attending to the sting and surging ahead for an 11-yard achieve.

“Yeah, it’s fun to watch him go out there and compete,” Nix stated. “He’s young, he’s got a lot of ball left ahead of him. He’s got some juice. He can get out of the backfield and catch the ball. His routes are great. He runs the ball really well. He’s just going to learn and grow and continue to get better with the run schemes and all that kind of stuff.”

Payton stated Harvey would “continue to get work with the ones” whereas additionally including that a number of of the workforce’s different operating backs would doubtlessly see early carries towards Arizona.

“We’re trying to build cases for all of them, in fairness to the process,” Payton stated of the operating backs. “Keep giving them all these opportunities so the decision can became a little bit easier. It’s difficult right now. We’ll look at all the film.”

Tyler Badie led all Broncos operating backs with 5 carries for 32 yards, whereas Blake Watson’s 7.0 yards per carry had been essentially the most for any Broncos tailback on Saturday.

STIDHAM POSTS NEAR-PERFECT OUTING

In in depth work, quarterback Jarrett Stidham discovered loads of success. He accomplished all however certainly one of his passes, as he went 14-of-15 for 136 yards, two touchdowns and a 144.0 quarterback score.

“Any time you get an opportunity to go down the field and try to make as many plays as you can, that’s what it’s all about,” Stidham stated after the sport.

The Broncos scored on 4 of Stidham’s 5 drives, notching 20 factors to take the lead again from San Francisco. His two landing passes included a powerful downfield throw to Trent Sherfield Sr., who made a toe-tapping seize for the Broncos’ second landing briefly order.

“That was a heck of a catch,” Payton stated.

Stidham additionally scrambled 3 times for a team-high 36 dashing yards.

“I thought it was awesome,” Nix stated. “I thought he did a great job of taking what the defense gave him but also being very aggressive. He made some plays with his feet. … He did a really good job.”