The San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos don’t have the dominant records predicted in the preseason, but as we watch 49ers vs Broncos online free we’ll see two teams hitting their stride. The 4-2 49ers didn’t click until Week 4, while the 4-1 Broncos are finding new ways to win amid a flood of injuries. But the latest Broncos injuries may prove too much as you watch Sunday Night Football live online or on TV tonight.
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has continued his march to the Hall of Fame this year. In Week 5 against the Cardinals, Manning threw a seven-yard touchdown in the first quarter to tight end Julius Thomas, joining Brett Favre as one of only two quarterbacks to throw for 500 career TDs.
Thomas is one of a half dozen receivers Manning has thrown to since losing receivers Eric Decker to the NY Jets and Wes Welker to injury. Yet even with his ragtag receiving corps, Manning has guided the 4-1 Broncos to second place in the AFC West and an average of 29.4 points per game. Yet going into Sunday Night Football tonight, the Broncos will be without starting left guard Mike Iupati and All-Pro inside linebacker Patrick Willis.
Against the 49ers, those injuries may be impossible to overcome. Last week against the Rams, the 49ers defense sacked Rams quarterback Austin Davis five times. Will Denver’s line be able to weather that same attack minus Iupati?
And without Willis, San Francisco’s offense can continue its upward trajectory. The 49ers struggled for three weeks as QB Colin Kaepernick looked more to pass than run. Kaepernick was trying to accommodate new wide receivers Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd while still finding touches for Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. In Week 4, Kaepernick and the 49ers finally remembered running back Frank Gore and their ground game.
With Gore and Kaepernick running again, the 49ers passing game finally gelled, and the 49ers have rattled off three straight wins. Last week against the Rams, Kaepernick threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers without an interception. In fact, Kaepernick has been the top-passing QB in five of the 49ers’ six games this year.
Though the Broncos are favored in tonight’s Sunday Night Football game, the 49ers seem a better bet to us. In the meantime, here are some important game-time details as you prepare to watch 49ers vs Broncos online free Sunday Night Football live stream tonight on NBC.
- Kickoff for Tonight’s 49ers vs Broncos Sunday Night Football game: 8:30 EST / 5:30 PST
- Stadium: Sports Authority Field at Mile High (the Denver Broncos are the home team)
- Who’s favored / point spread: the Denver Broncos are 6-point favorites
- Stream the 49ers / Broncos Sunday Night Football game free online live on NBC Sports here
- Watch live online free on the DirecTV website here (requires an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription with MAX package)
