49ers beat Broncos 24-14 to move to 4-0

The 49ers closed their three‑game home stretch by edging the Broncos 24‑14 at Levi’s Stadium, a victory that lifted San Francisco to 4‑0 for the third time since 2019. The first half was a defensive stalemate, with both squads combining for a modest 3‑3 tie. It was a third‑quarter special‑teams turnover – Siran Neal’s forced fumble on Marvin Mims’ punt return – that gave the Niners the ball at the Denver 28‑yard line and set up Brock Purdy’s one‑yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel, the first lead of the night.

San Francisco’s offense found its rhythm after the break, delivering three straight touchdowns. Purdy, who finished 19‑of‑30 for 218 yards and a passer rating of 107.4, became the first 49ers quarterback since franchise legend Frankie Albert in 1948 to open a season with four consecutive games of at least two TD passes and a 100‑plus rating. He joined Sam Darnold (2024) as the only quarterback to achieve that feat in the modern era. Christian McCaffrey added a 1‑yard rushing TD on a 74‑yard drive, while veteran tight end George Kittle capped the win with a 56‑yard screen to outrun former teammate Talanoa Hufanga, extending the lead to 24‑14 with just over two minutes left. “He had an unbelievable game,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said of linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who led the defense with 12 tackles and forced a crucial fourth‑quarter fumble.

Beyond the highlight reel, the game underscored several deeper trends. Kyle Shanahan clocked his 167th regular‑season appearance, passing Bill Walsh for the most in franchise history, a milestone that reflects the continuity underlying San Francisco’s sustained success. The offensive line’s protection of Purdy continued unabated – the unit recorded zero sacks for the fourth straight game, a streak not seen since the 1965 49ers and the longest such start since the Indianapolis Colts did it in 2005.

Denver’s loss, meanwhile, was amplified by a cascade of injuries. Starting cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss left with ankle and rib issues, respectively, and wide‑out Pat Bryant also exited early. The depleted secondary struggled to contain San Francisco’s passing attack, while the Broncos’ running game never found rhythm, leaving quarterback Bo Nix with 25‑of‑42 for 214 yards and a solitary touchdown. Head coach Sean Payton lamented the lack of offensive answers, noting the team “didn’t have enough offense to get a lead and then go beyond that.” The bruised Broncos now sit 2‑2, with a bumpy road ahead as they attempt to heal personnel gaps and restore confidence.

The immediate implication is clear: San Francisco’s blend of strategic adjustments, depth across positions, and record‑setting quarterback play keeps them on a trajectory toward a playoff push, while Denver must address its injury‑plagued secondary and find a way to generate consistent offense if it hopes to stay competitive in the AFC West.