Tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC the Denver Broncos (4-1) will host the San Francisco 49ers (4-2) in a Week 7 edition of Sunday Night Football. Watch the game online free by clicking this link; Broncos fans can hear the radio broadcast on 850 KOA, while 49ers fans may do likewise on KNBR 1050.
This matchup could easily be painted as a classic clash of offense (Broncos) vs. defense (49ers) but that wouldn't do justice to the tremendous strides Denver's defense has made from a season ago. After adding DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib this offseason, the Broncos defense now ranks fourth against the run and third against the pass.
Offensively, Peyton Manning has kept them atop the league even though the running game's taken a step back without Knowshon Moreno. 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh spoke reverentially about Manning ahead of the primetime showdown.
"Whenever he takes the field, he's just great all the time and that speaks volumes for the player that he is and continues to be," Harbaugh said. "Just keeps doing it and doing it and doing it. Great. Great with a capital 'G' at the highest level."
Despite numerous injuries and off-field issues the 49ers' defense has remained one of the better units in the NFL. Broncos coach John Fox lamented Denver's tough schedule early on, and said the 49ers are as tough a challenge as they've faced in 2014.
"We've had a pretty salty schedule thus far," Fox said. "And this week is no different."
Offensively though the 49ers path to points is unclear. They rank middle-of-the-pack in the running and passing game, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick expressed concern about Denver's pass rushers.
"They have two great ends that can rush the passer well," Kaepernick said. "We're going to have to be ready for that."
Broncos Injury Report
Montee Ball RB Groin Did Not Participate In Practice Out Omar Bolden CB Groin Full Participation in Practice Probable David Bruton S Ankle Full Participation in Practice Probable Christopher Harris CB Knee Full Participation in Practice Probable Brandon McManus K right Groin Full Participation in Practice Probable Corey Nelson LB Hamstring Full Participation in Practice Probable Juwan Thompson RB Knee Full Participation in Practice Probable
49ers Injury Report
Mike Iupati G Concussion Did Not Participate In Practice Out Patrick Willis LB Toe Did Not Participate In Practice Out Christopher Cook CB Quadricep Full Participation in Practice Probable Perrish Cox CB Quadricep Full Participation in Practice Probable Vernon Davis TE Back Full Participation in Practice Probable Tony Jerod-Eddie DE Shoulder Full Participation in Practice Probable Steve Johnson WR Hip Full Participation in Practice Probable Justin Smith DE Not Injury Related Full Participation in Practice Probable Ian Williams DT Ankle Full Participation in Practice Probable Chris Culliver CB Shoulder Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable Jimmie Ward S Quadricep Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable Tramaine Brock CB Toe Limited Participation in Practice Questionable Anthony Davis T Knee Limited Participation in Practice Questionable
© Copyright 2025 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
