Sunday Night Football Schedule 2014: TV, Live Stream Info for 49ers vs. Broncos

Peyton Manning's quest to set the all-time record for passing touchdowns highlights this week's monumental Sunday Night Football clash between the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.

Things couldn't have worked out better for NBC, as Manning sits two touchdowns shy of matching Brett Favre's 508 career passing strikes. Tying or breaking the record with two or three scores is certainly a feasible task for the future Hall of Famer, but it's also far from a lock against a stout 49ers passing defense.

While Manning's journey for personal glory will hog the spotlight Sunday night, the game itself represents the premier matchup on the Week 7 docket. The Broncos are a strong contender to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl again, and the 49ers have climbed back into the title picture with three consecutive victories.

This isn't a game any football fan will want to miss. Here's all the viewing info for this possible Super Bowl prelude before breaking down the star-studded battle.

Date	Away	Home	Time (ET)	TV
Oct. 19	San Francisco 49ers	Denver Broncos	8:30 p.m.	NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

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Where else would we start but with Manning's chase for the all-time passing touchdown record? He has tallied 107 passing scores through 37 games with Denver, putting him on the giving end of 2.9 end-zone visits per game.

He's thrown at least two passing touchdowns in every game this season, with his 2014 low of two coming at Seattle. The 38-year-old has already forced plenty of amendments to the history books, so what's one more?

ESPN Stats & Info also analyzed Manning's biggest roadblock to passing Favre, explaining that this contest boils down to San Francisco's ability to orchestrate a pass-rush. 

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Manning has been pressured (under duress or sacked) on 19 percent of his dropbacks in losses, and roughly 13 percent in wins. He's been sacked at double the rate in losses than wins. Manning has thrown nine interceptions under duress with the Broncos; six have come in losses. However, the 49ers' problem on defense this season has been pressure, ranking 23rd in the NFL in pressure percentage, compared with 10th last season. 

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The 49ers amassed just one sack during their two losses, but they brought down Austin Davis five times in Monday night's victory over the St. Louis Rams. They tout the league's second-best passing defense behind the Detroit Lions, but there's no secondary in the world Manning can't carve up with a clean pocket.

Making matters tougher, San Francisco will miss superstars on each side, as the team ruled out guard Mike Iupati and linebacker Patrick Willis for the colossal showdown.

As the heart of the defense and a tackling machine up the middle, Willis obviously presents a huge loss. Without Willis, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh will turn to Chris Borland, a 5'11" rookie selected in the third round of April's draft. Cornerback Perrish Cox talked up the replacement to ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez.

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He is pretty short, but the little dude's got a lot of fight in him. He can tackle and he's got moves that a lot of our linebackers don't really do besides NaVorro Bowman. We saw a couple in the last game and, like I said, he's the heart of our defense right now. He'll make the calls and we've got to roll with him.

We all got trust in Chris Borland. He's got big shoes to fill.

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Missing Iupati, who suffered a concussion last week, is just as big of a blow. He's a major asset in the run-blocking game that stuttered without him against St. Louis. Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde combined for 52 rushing yards on 27 carries, but Colin Kaepernick bailed out the listless ground game.

That's not San Francisco's typical path to victory, but it's one the club may have to replicate against the NFL's No. 4 run defense. Denver has allowed 3.3 yards per carry, and the 49ers' rushing attack is trending downward.

For all the talk about Gore gradually losing his job to Hyde, the rookie is averaging a measly 3.2 yards per carry, gaining 96 rushing yards through five games since his solid pro debut. Gore, meanwhile, is doing just fine at 4.3 yards per run.

Each defense's strength plays to the opposing offense's forte. Without Willis to guide the rushing defense, perhaps both clubs go against type.