The 49ers played their second preseason game today, a win over the Denver Broncos, and here’s my analysis.
The first drive seemed like the 49ers we know & love, with Brock Purdy going 4/5 for 65 passing yards, where he connected with Deebo Samuel twice for 39 yards, once to Brandon Aiyuk for 15 yards, and once to Jauan Jennings for 11 yards.
All 3 receivers had nice showings on the first drive, but it only led to a 20-yard field goal from Jake Moody.
Purdy was sacked once for a 8-yard loss, but got right back up, and had a nice 8-yard run, but missed a chance for a TD to Jauan Jennings, thus the field goal by Moody.
As for the first team defense, the 49ers stood tall, only giving up a field goal to make it 3-3.
We saw the debut of Javon Hargrave, and he looked as advertised, with 1 tackle, while Fred Warner had 3 tackles, and that was all the time that the #1 defensive starters saw, which had Kerry Hyder Jr., Clelin Ferrell, Hargrave, & Arik Armstead starting on the defensive line, Charvarius Ward, Ambry Thomas, & Deommodore Lenoir at cornerback, Talanoa Hufanga, & Tashaun Gipson Sr. at safety, and Warner joined at linebacker by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Sam Darnold started the teams 2nd drive, but didn’t do much, except a nice 5-yard throw to Jordan Mason on a Broncos blitz, but other than that, their wasn’t much good.
Darnold finished the game 5/6, for 48 passing yards, but was sacked twice behind the teams 2nd team OL.
I was impressed by Marlon Davidson who had a nice sack, and just looked really good out there.
Ronnie Bell had 1 kick return for 25 yards, while Danny Gray had 1 kick return for 23 yards before heading back to the locker room in the first half.
Rookie free safety Ji’Ayir Brown made a nice touchdown saving tackle the end the half, making it a 6-3 lead by Denver.
49ers opened the 2nd half with a nice punt return for 28 yards from Ronnie Bell, who could be the teams returner, if Ray-Ray McCloud III isn’t ready week 1.
Sam Darnold began the 2nd half, but the drive ended with an INT due to a tip off the hands of Ronnie Bell, a nice throw by Sam, but bad luck.
Darnold had a nice completion to Cameron Latu for 8 yards, also had another catch for a 1st down, and looked good in the run game.
Ronnie Bell had a nice catch from Sam Darnold, a great route ran, and a great catch, making up for the INT, followed by an underthrow to Chris Conley, but has a nice throw to Dazz Newsome for a 1st down.
Brayden Willis had a nice 9 yard catch to bring up 2nd and 1, and the 49ers were able to score a touchdown, Sam Darnold to fullback Jack Colletto for an 11 yard TD, making it 9-6, after a missed extra point by Jake Moody.
Darnold ended the game 11/14, for 109 passing yards, and a touchdown.
Jalen Graham made a nice hit on a Denver WR, jolting the ball loose, but it was recovered by Denver.
D’Shawn Jamison also impressed me with a nice stop on 3rd down to bring up 4th down, Jamison was aided by Jalen Graham, among others.
Speaking of Jamison, he had a bad muffed punt return, which the Broncos immediately took advantage of with a touchdown, making it a 13-9 Broncos lead.
Trey Lance came in with around 1:22 left in the 3rd quarter, and on his first drive, with a nice pass to wide receiver Tay Martin, after breaking free from a potential sack.
Jeremy McNichols had a few nice runs on Lance’s 1st drive, and a nice catch, after an illegal formation call.
Lance’s first drive ends with a tipped ball interception, not the best showing from Trey thus far.
The 49ers defense comes up big with a forced fumble turnover on downs, leading to Lance’s 2nd drive, which was a nice long drive that had a nice run by McNichols, a very good pass to Tay Martin, but end up with a 43-yard field goal by Jake Moody, making it 13-12 Denver.
On the very next drive the 49ers give up an all too easy touchdown, putting Denver up 20-12.
On the next drive for Lance, the IOL was bad, putting the 49ers into a 1st & 20 position, but got out of it thanks to catches by Ronnie Bell, & Cameron Latu.
Willie Snead IV with 3 nice receptions on this drive, and a nice TD from Lance to Latu, to make it 20-18 after a failed 2-point conversion.
Under 2 minutes, down 2, the 49ers have to go almost 80 yards, and they start out with a nice catch & run by Ronnie Bell.
Bell with another huge catch & run, such great speed by Bell, with the 49ers in field goal range.
For the win, Jake Moody with a 32-yard field goal attempt, and it’s good, for a 21-20 49ers win.
Lance went 12/18 for 173 passing yards, and a TD & INT, but he played very well, especially on the game winning drive, hopefully the 49ers give him more reps going forward, as he, in my eyes, should be QB2.
Some thoughts below.
The 49ers interior line was bad, whether it was Nick Zakelj, Jason Poe, or Joey Fisher, none look like NFL players.
An offensive player who impressed me was left tackle Ilm Manning, who has the ability to beat out Jaylon Moore, Matt Pryor, & Leroy Watson IV for the swing tackle spot.
Ronnie Bell is another offensive player I was impressed with, ending with 7 catches for 114 yards, he was making plays all over the field, whether on offense, or special teams, or blocking for fellow offensive plays, so it’s going to be hard to justify cutting Bell, as I don’t think he makes it to the practice squad.
A defensive player who impressed me was Jalen Graham, the 7th-round pick out of Purdue, playing MIKE Linebacker on the 2nd-team defense, having a nose for where the ball is, and just a sure fire tackler, and with Oren Burks with a PCL sprain, the team may be forced to keep 6 linebackers just in case, plus I’m not so sure Graham, or 6th-round pick Dee Winters clears waivers.
While T.Y. McGill Jr. had a rough outing in Las Vegas, he actually looked good, besides an offsides penalty, he had a sack, he’s a guy to watch out for when the 49ers have to make their final cuts, as they guaranteed him $400,000.
Isaiah Oliver, who I have had as a lock had a bad missed tackle, and just needs to play better, or else the 49ers might cut him, or trade him, but the issue with cutting him is the team saves only $240,000, since they guaranteed Oliver’s salary for 2023, but it’s not uncommon for teams to release free agent signings that just don’t pan out.
The 49ers play next at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.
I thank you for reading, and follow me on Twitter @49erscap.
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