OFFENSE — D
Their running game was bottled up (3.8-yard average on 27 attempts) by San Francisco’s defensive curveball, a heavy front that controlled the line of scrimmage. Quarterback Case Keenum was 24 of 42 for only 186 yards as he reverted back to his early-season habit of throwing high and wide on out routes. had two drops and the receivers averaged only 7.8 yards per catch. The Broncos have forgotten about their tight ends ( has one catch in the last two games).
DEFENSE — D
They pitched a shutout in the second half and produced a turnover at midfield that the offense didn’t capitalize on. But about that first half. Is there a lower grade than F for what happened in quarters 1-2? San Francisco did whatever it wanted, including seven passes to tight end George Kittle for 210 yards. Kittle’s 85-yard touchdown was a coverage bust that should not happen in Week 14 and against an opponentap best weapon. The penalties began piling up and was low-lighted by three neutral zone infractions by linebacker .
SPECIAL TEAMS — C
Kicker Brandon McManus made both of his point-after attempts but the 20-point halftime deficit forced the Broncos to go for it on fourth down throughout the second half. Punter Colby Wadman posted a 40.2 yard net on six punts. sparked the Broncos’ first scoring drive with a 20-yard punt return.
COACHING — F
The Broncos had 11 penalties, were a dismal 2 of 15 on third down and trailed a 2-10 team by 20 points at halftime. Where to begin? Letap start with coach . His team played with no urgency, as if the 49ers were going to hand them the game. Offensive coordinator got away with four called passes from the San Francisco 1-yard line (touchdown on fourth down) and defensive coordinator had no answer for Kittle and saw his group commit five penalties on one drive. Joseph ended with an odd challenge that cost him a timeout in the final minutes.
GAME BALLS
WR Tim Patrick. His role increased because of ’ injury, Patrick caught seven passes for 85 yards.
LB Bradley Chubb. He recorded two sacks to set a Broncos rookie season record (12).
DL Shelby Harris. In addition to his four tackles, he batted down one pass and deflected another that resulted in a completion for lost yardage.
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