There’s nothing at stake in this game. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve your attention. If you’re into quarterbacks competing for a job, or interested in seeing new faces going up against each other, then count this game between the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers as a can’t miss football game..
For our overview of all the storylines worth following in Week 2, click here, and read on for more about the looming matchup of the Broncos and the 49ers below.
[sc:Football ]Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco
When: Sunday, August 17, 4:00 PM ET
Line: Denver Broncos (+3) at San Francisco 49ers (-3); total: 40.0 – see all NFL lines
Why This Game Matters
[sc:NFL240banner ]It’s a preseason game, meaning a win or a loss doesn’t amount to anything important. However, what happens on the field in this game will provide some telling evidence about how both teams will perform in the regular season. For the Broncos, they will be graded on this game more on how their defense holds up against San Francisco. For the 49ers, it’s about the backup quarterback competition and the play of their new players.
Betting on the Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning’s team and the rest of the offense can wait until the regular season. As for now, all eyes are on the team’s retooled defense, and on how its new pieces will fit into the front-seven unit that was absolutely crushed in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Amidst the frenzy of the free agency, the Broncos managed to sign former Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end and seven-time Pro Bowler, DeMarcus Ware. The 32-year-old appeared to be in fine form in the team’s first preseason game, as he put on the pressure on Seattle’s Russell Wilson and even sacked him in his short time on the field.
It’s a welcome development for the Broncos, who are looking forward to the pairing of Ware with Von Miller, who is still recuperating from an ACL injury. A pass rush tandem made up of Ware and Miller will be among the most menacing in the NFL.
Two more newly-acquired key defensive pieces, which John Elway brought into the team to shore up the secondary also showed up against Seattle. Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward were signed by the Broncos to add physicality to the defense, and the two were quick to deliver just that in that game.
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Betting on the San Francisco 49ers
Don’t expect to see much of Colin Kaepernick in the 49ers preseason match against Denver. Rather, focus your attention on the growing competition for the backup QB post between Blaine Gabbert and Josh Johnson.
Gabbert needs to rebound after going 3-for-11 for 20 yards with one interception against Baltimore. On the other hand, Johnson boosted his stock by going 6-for-8 for 63 yards without throwing an interception. Gabbert is expected to have the backup job, but another bad outing will make Harbaugh evaluate the team’s second-string QB situation more closely than he’d like.
If there are any positive takeaways from that game, it has to be rookie running back Carlos Hyde’s impressive preseason debut. Hyde took over Frank Gore’s starting role against Baltimore and quickly went to doing things that made him look like a steal in the recent draft. Drafted as the 57th pick in the second round, rushed for 39 yards on five carries, which included as 19-yard rush.
On defense, second-year defensive end Quinton Dial was also solid against the Ravens, forcing two fumbles and finishing with a team-best 10 tackles.
Dating back to last season, the 49ers have a record of 5-1 SU in their last six home games. Last week’s match against Baltimore was also the fourth-straight game that went under the totals.
Writer’s Prediction
The Broncos offense and defense click to give the 49ers a close win. Take San Francisco to cover +3, and the game to go under the total .
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