Denver Broncos: 10 Key Players, Things to Watch for Denver

In the final preseason game before the roster gets cut down to 75 players, it will be the last chance for a few Broncos to show their worth to John Fox and his coaching staff.

The Denver Broncos take on the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in a nationally televised game on Fox at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.

There will be many players to watch, whether it's established veterans either looking to get back into the groove of things or just trying to make the squad. There will be situations to watch, such as the Broncos' backup quarterback situation or lack of consistency in their running game through the first two preseason contests.

Either way, here are 10 players or things to watch for this Sunday's game between the Niners and the Broncos.

Peyton Manning

When is Peyton Manning not a player to look for entering any game?

Although it's the third preseason game, Manning is still shaking off the cobwebs as he makes his third preseason start in a Broncos uniform since joining Denver in March of this year. Manning has yet to throw a touchdown pass—although Jacob Tamme should have caught one last week—and has thrown three interceptions, two of which were thrown while the Broncos were threatening to score.

Manning has looked efficient and crisp for the most part. The improvement that needs to be made entering this matchup with San Francisco is ending drives with scores not turnovers.

Who Will Emerge as the Favorite Behind Willis McGahee?

Simply put, although Xavier Omon and Jeremiah Johnson have had their moments through training camp and the preseason, the backup RB race has always been between Lance Ball, Knowshon Moreno and Ronnie Hillman.

Here's been the problem thus far: Moreno hasn't been impressive and there have been whispers that he's likely to be cut before the season. Ball is a versatile backup, but in a three-headed race between the likes of Moreno and Hillman, there is no reason Ball should be the favorite. Hillman has yet to even play in the preseason and he's missed vast amounts of training camp due to a hamstring injury.

It is time for one of these running backs to prove that they deserve to back up Willis McGahee.

Jim Leonhard

The Denver Broncos signed safety Jim Leonhard in early August in the aftermath of the knee injury suffered by starting SS Quinton Carter in training camp.

Leonhard—a starter for much of his career with the Jets the past couple of seasons—was expected to provide a veteran presence. Leonhard has been known for his physical style throughout his seven-year career, along with his ability to stop the run despite his small 5'8" frame.

It was reported earlier this week that Leonhard isn't expected to play in the Niners game. However, he did practice Tuesday and it remains to be seen whether that's the case.

Brandon Stokley

Through Denver's first two preseason games, Stokley has shown that he still has something left in the tank. In fact, he's shown more than that.

He has shown that he is still a favorite target of Peyton Manning, catching three balls for 41 yards vs. Seattle. All three catches were for first down conversions and at least 10 yards.

It should be interesting to see if Stokley continues to show that he's still a favorite of Manning's on Sunday vs. San Francisco.

Backup Quarterback?

Brock Osweiler, Caleb Hanie or Adam Weber? That's the question that's been asked since the beginning of training camp.

None of the three quarterbacks have made a definitive case over the other two. Osweiler looked good vs. Chicago but in a full second half performance vs. Seattle, he laid a dud.

He didn't lead the offense to a single score and the Broncos got outscored 21-0 in the second half. His stat line was a paltry five for 11 for 38 yards.

Hanie and Weber did not play vs. Seattle, but expect both of them to receive their chances against San Francisco come Sunday.

Consistency in the Running Game

The running game thus far has been lethargic to say the least.

Willis McGahee carries the ball eight times for 28 yards and a touchdown against Seattle. On many carries, he was either hit or tackled behind the line of scrimmage. The Broncos carried the ball 15 times for 38 total yards that game.

Rookie Ronnie Hillman might play if his hamstring issues clear up in time. The Broncos need a boost from Hillman and others in order to find some consistency running the football.

Derek Wolfe

With the season-ending injury to Jason Hunter, Derek Wolfe takes over as the starting left defensive end.

Not only did Wolfe rack up two sacks in Chicago, but he's also the team's leading tackler through the first two preseason contests. The first game of the starting defensive line of Wolfe, Ty Warren, Justin Bannan and Elvis Dumervil was a positive one.

Let's hope the second one versus San Francisco is even better.

Linebackers

We already know entering the season that Von Miller, Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard are the starters. What we don't know is who will be the backups behind these guys with the looming suspension of former starting linebacker D.J. Williams.

With LB Nate Irving back in pads from a rib injury on Thursday, Irving, Mike Mohamed, Danny Trevathan and others will have their opportunities to prove themselves in the last game before the roster cutdown to 75 players.

9. Will Peyton Manning Throw His First Touchdown Pass of the Season?

Yes, this article has to close with yet another Peyton Manning slide.

Although Manning has played in his first game since neck surgery, completed his first pass, taken his first hit, even thrown his first few interceptions, Peyton has yet to throw his first touchdown in an orange crush jersey.

Will Sunday mark his first with the Broncos?

Peyton Manning Sweepstakes

Ah, yet another Manning topic. Who ever gets tired of these?

Remember when the Niners and the Broncos were the top two candidates to sign Manning in March after his release from the Colts? The Broncos ended up as the winners and the Niners had to make up with free agent Alex Smith and re-sign him.

Remember also when Jim Harbaugh stated that they wanted Alex Smith back all along, after losing out on Manning in free agency?

Sure.

This will mark the first meeting between the two teams since that "contest" concluded. Although it's just a preseason game, expect it to be a topic of conversation throughout the game.

Just letting you know in advance.