Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers Predictions

The rushing matchup favors San Francisco

CBS Sports reports that San Francisco ranks sixth with 409 rushing yards and fourth with 5.1 yards per carry. Denver has allowed 431 rushing yards at the same 5.1-yard rate. That gives the 3-0 49ers a clear way to move the ball against a 2-1 Broncos team ranked 29th in total defense.

Purdy strengthens that advantage. He has completed 72.3% of his passes for 789 yards and nine touchdowns, and he has not been sacked through three games. Denver defensive lineman Zach Allen has three sacks and nine quarterback hits, but the Broncos must disrupt a passing game that has produced efficiently without allowing a sack.

Denver’s slow starts raise the risk

The Denver Gazette, a Colorado newspaper, reports that the Broncos have been outscored 40-10 in first halves. They recovered to beat Jacksonville 20-13 and the Rams 30-26, but another early deficit would let San Francisco lean on its favorable rushing matchup.

San Francisco’s defense ranks eighth overall and has six sacks, although CBS Sports reports that Nick Bosa is expected to miss multiple weeks with knee and calf injuries. His absence removes one reason to back the 49ers more aggressively.

Betting view

SPF lists San Francisco at -148 on the moneyline and -3 against the spread, with Denver at +124. The 49ers are the likelier winner, but the moneyline is expensive and the spread requires more than a field-goal victory. With no confirmed starter or injury list beyond the Bosa report, the best betting choice is Pass.