The Denver Broncos (2-1) will face another stiff challenge in Week 4 when they go on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers (3-0). After already playing the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams, the Broncos will get another test in what most fans knew was a rough six-game stretch to start the season.
But the undefeated 49ers might be the biggest test yet.
The 49ers have looked great to start the season, dismantling the Rams in Week 1 in Australia, pounding the Miami Dolphins by 22 points in Week 2 and holding off the Arizona Cardinals 36-30 last Sunday. In those three victories, the team has shown few weaknesses.
The Broncos, meanwhile, have needed strong second-half performances to beat the Jaguars and Rams after an ugly Week 1 loss to the Chiefs. So how do they win this game? Here are a few keys to a victory.
Broncos’ keys to victory over 49ers in Week 4
1. Keep George Kittle in check
The 49ers have several offensive weapons, but with the way George Kittle is playing, particularly when you consider how the Broncos have been susceptible to giving up big games to tight ends, he might be the most intimidating player for the Broncos to go up against in this game.
Kittle has caught 10 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games and is coming into this one on fire. Inside linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad could have their hands full with trying to cover him over the middle of the field, so safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones need to be ready to help slow him down and force Brock Purdy to throw to one of his targets on the outside.
With the chance that Mike Evans could miss this game, that would be a great strategy for Denver.
2. Avoid giving up the big play
Last week against the Cardinals, the 49ers ran only 50 offensive plays to their 81. They also had just over 21 minutes of time of possession. They won the game.
That was because of the big play.
The 49ers had six explosive plays of 20 yards or more, including an 80-yard touchdown on a reception and then a pitch to Deebo Samuel, as well as a 35-yard run by Purdy. The Broncos need to limit these kinds of big plays. Any time you have the ball for almost 40 minutes, that should result in a victory.
3. Find a way to fluster Brock Purdy
This might be the most impressive statistic that you hear heading into Week 4. Through the first three games, the 49ers have given up zero sacks. They are the only team in the league that can say that.
No wonder why Purdy has looked so good.
The Broncos need to find a way to break through the 49ers’ protection and even if they don’t get sacks, force Purdy to make mistakes or, at the very least, throw the ball anywhere but where he intends to go with it. If the Broncos become the fourth team to fail to get a sack on the 49ers, they won’t win this game.
If Purdy can just stand back and pick the defense apart, he will. Vance Joseph needs to find a way to create chaos with his defensive unit.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 3 keys to victory for the Broncos against the 49ers
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