Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch entered the 2017 offseason in a tight competition for the starting quarterback position. Siemian’s slowly cementing his grip on that coveted spot, however, after impressive performances in training camp and the preseason opener. He completed 6 of 7 passes for 51 yards and led a field-goal drive in Denver’s 24-17 victory over Chicago on Thursday night. Siemian will look to build on his solid rookie season last year where he went 8-6 in 14 starts. He completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 84.6.
New head coach Vance Joseph and new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy are keeping an open mind, though, and are still non-committal to Siemian. In fact, they’re giving Lynch the start for Saturday’s game against San Francisco. He came on early in the second quarter against the Bears and was 6 for 9 for 42 yards. Last season, he went 1-1 for the Broncos and completed 59 percent of his passes for 497 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a quarterback rating of 79.2.
One thing that doesn’t concern the Broncos is their defense. They showed their might against the Bears even without Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller. Denver’s defense took the ball away on two of the game’s first three possessions. The Broncos will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing San Francisco’s A team who managed just 12 yards in their limited action on Friday.
Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that Brian Hoyer will be the Niners’ starting quarterback this season. Based on his performance in the preseason opener, maybe it’s time for Shanahan to reconsider that decision. He started San Francisco’s first two drives Friday, completing just 1 of 4 passes for a measly three yards in the 49ers’ 27-17 win over the Chiefs. Matt Barkley fared much better in this contest with the backup QB completing 10 of 17 pass attempts for 168 yards, one sack and no interceptions.
Hoyer will need to get his act together fast before he hears it from the restless Niners faithful. Yes, it’s just the preseason but opinions form fast in this part of town. If there’s one guy who can get the best out of Hoyer, though, it’s got to be Shanahan. During their time in Cleveland, Hoyer got the Browns off to a surprising 7-4 start in 2014. Shanahan used Hoyer in a rollout-based attack that helped the quarterback and his receivers compile a league-best 13.7 yards per catch that year.
The Niners surely hope they can replicate that feat this season. Apart from Hoyer, Shanahan will also need to sort out San Francisco’s running game. Carlos Hyde remains the 49ers’ lead back but the No. 2 position is still up for grabs. The ones to watch for that position are rookies Matt Breida and Joe Williams. Breida, who offers a unique change-of-pace ability, averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on 11 attempts in Kansas City. Williams, who likes to run outside the tackles, showed what he can do against the Chiefs, delivering an impressive 11-yard burst in the open field.
Writer’s Prediction
The 49ers (-2.5) get their second win of the preseason, 21-17.
