49ers vs. Broncos: Previewing San Francisco's Preseason Week 3 Matchup

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off their first preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys a week ago and are now gearing up for a trip to Sports Authority Field against the Denver Broncos.

San Francisco's 23-6 victory over the Cowboys revealed a lot of positives from a 49ers team looking to propel itself into the regular season on a positive note. Defense and special teams each made some noteworthy contributions, which held Dallas to just 257 all-purpose yards.

But the 49ers offense also struggled during the contest. San Francisco mustered a mere 205 yards—155 of which were on the ground.

How disconcerting is it for San Francisco to have just one offensive touchdown through two preseason games?

On the flip side, Denver's offense put together 383 yards of offense versus the Houston Texans last week. And the running game combined for 121 yards on the ground—averaging 5.3 yards per carry in the process.

Still, this is the preseason. And teams are more focused with the mandatory roster cuts that will take place following the exhibition matchup. San Francisco's current roster consists of 90 players. Head coach Jim Tomsula and Co. will have to whittle that number down to 75 following the game.

How will this game shape up with the context in mind?

Let's try to answer that.

Location: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado

Time: 9 p.m. ET

TV: KPIX 5 (local)

News and Notes

NaVorro Bowman's Comeback

Last Sunday's contest against the Dallas Cowboys marked the first time All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman suited up against an opponent since his horrendous injury against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game in 2014.

Bowman played just three snaps during the contest but immediately made an impact. On the first play from scrimmage, Bowman wrapped up ball-carrier Darren McFadden for a tackle. Bowman subsequently made two other tackles for a loss before departing for the night.

The stellar linebacker explained, via Eric Branch of SFGate.com, what difference the year off made:

"

Last year, I had a whole year to just sit back and see it from a coach’s view, and you just want to stay in it. You don’t want to seem like you’ve got it all or you know it all. You always want to try to better yourself. I think that’s what the greats do—they find ways to learn in different ways—not just as a player. That’s what the year off gave me, and I just wanted to show that I’m a student of the game, not just a player.

"

Bowman may still not be 100 percent. But it's safe to say that the 49ers defense would be happy to have him back on the field in any capacity.

And he showed why last Sunday.

Jarryd Hayne Continues to Impress

OK, so rookie running back Jarryd Hayne didn't rip off a 53-yard run for the second week in a row. But he did finish his efforts against Dallas by rushing for 54 yards on eight attempts.

Additionally, he averaged 28.0 yards on three punt returns, which further lends credence to him making the 53-man roster.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee described why Hayne's skill set is enough to earn such a coveted spot:

"

Despite an abundance of running backs on the roster, [Hayne] entered his first NFL game Aug. 15 against Houston at the end of the first quarter. And through two exhibition games, he trails only Denver’s Ronnie Hillman in rushing yards – 120-117. (With 16 carries, Hillman has three more than Hayne.) There’s no way he would have played in games that early and logged so many minutes if coaches didn’t trust that he knew what he was doing.

"

The 49ers are in need of a feel-good story after all that has transpired this offseason. Hayne is providing more than that. He's giving a much-needed boost to the rushing attack and vying for a regular role on special teams in 2015.

Mike Purcell Making Headway

Nose tackle Mike Purcell is another one of those feel-good stories emanating from the 49ers preseason.

He had a strong effort in San Francisco's preseason Week 1 loss in Houston. Purcell followed that up with an interception off Cowboys quarterback Dustin Vaughan, which he returned 37 yards for a touchdown.

One doesn't see too many defensive tackles make those types of plays.

Purcell has primarily been a backup and practice squad player since being picked up by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2013. The 49ers already have a crowded defensive line with players like Darnell Dockett, Glenn Dorsey, Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial, Arik Armstead and Ian Williams all ahead of him on the depth chart.

But Purcell's efforts could put him into a position to overtake fellow lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie when the team finalizes its roster in September.

Latest Injury News

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Linebacker Desmond Bishop injured his thumb while playing against Dallas last Saturday.

The 49ers will release their first injury report prior to the regular season, which makes the assessment of preseason injuries a little more difficult.

Here's what we know so far (information accrued via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee):

Did Not Practice:

• TE Vance McDonald (ankle)
• WR Chuck Jacobs (ankle)
• S Craig Dahl (back)

Physically Unable to Perform

• C Daniel Kilgore (leg)
• LB Desmond Bishop (thumb)

Non-Football Injury/Illness

• WR DeAndre Smelter

The 49ers suffered a couple of notable injuries versus Dallas. Linebacker Desmond Bishop injured his thumb, which will require "a little procedure" per Barrows. Defensive end Tank Carradine and tight end Vance McDonald also exited with respective injuries but Carradine should continue to practice.

San Francisco did get some good news when it activated linebacker Michael Wilhoite from the NFI list. Wilhoite had been nursing a muscle strain suffered during non-football workouts.

Barrows also reported that defensive end Glenn Dorsey (muscle strain) and wide receivers Dres Anderson and Bruce Ellington (leg strain) will return to practice this week.

Key Matchups

The 49ers and Broncos will hold joint practices leading up to Saturday's contest at Sports Authority Field. This should make for some interesting storylines leading up to, and during, the game itself.

49ers Secondary vs. Brock Osweiler

It's a safe bet Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning won't play more than one drive against the 49ers this weekend. That opens up the door for his backup QB Brock Osweiler to get plenty of reps with the second-team unit.

Osweiler completed seven passes out of 16 attempts for 121 yards against Houston last week. He had one touchdown against one interception as well.

San Francisco's secondary still needs to figure out its depth chart. Veteran corners Tramaine Brock and Shareece Wright figure to see early action. But depth players like Keith Reaser, Kenneth Acker, Dontae Johnson, Marcus Cromartie and Leon McFadden will likely get elongated looks as the game progresses.

Whoever looks the best will ultimately influence the 49ers' decision in determining how the roster shapes up.

Defensive End Arik Armstead & Co. vs. Broncos O-Line

Rookie defensive end Arik Armstead has been seeing a lot of the field over his first two preseason bouts, and there isn't much of a reason to assume anything different in Denver. While he has made some on-field errors, Armstead's strengths are starting to reveal themselves as pointed out in the B/R video above.

Even after the 49ers lost defensive ends Ray McDonald and Justin Smith prior to this season, the defensive line remains deep. This gives head coach Jim Tomsula the luxury of not having to work Armstead into a starting role right away.

Still, the D-line will have to test itself against a Broncos offensive line that was reinforced by the free-agent acquisition of guard Evan Mathis.

Mathis and fellow guard Louis Vasquez are two of the players to watch during joint practices per Tyler Emerick of 49ers.com. It will be interesting to see how this battle plays out during the game.

49ers O-Line vs. Broncos Pass Rush

San Francisco's O-line may be the most pressing question heading into the regular season. Aside from left tackle Joe Staley and left guard Alex Boone, this unit's starters are still up for debate.

To make things worse, Denver's crop of pass-rushers made life hell for Texans quarterbacks a week ago. The Broncos defense combined for five sacks for 32 yards during that game, and this unit will figure to carry that momentum over against the 49ers.

Starting pass-rushers like DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller may not see a lot of action on Saturday. But one player to note is rookie defensive end Shane Ray.

Look for the 49ers O-line to contain Ray and the other elements of Denver's pass rush.

49ers Offense vs. The Red Zone

The 49ers have just one offensive touchdown over two preseason games. That's not good.

In the red zone, San Francisco has converted just one touchdown in five visits—certainly not the type of statistic that suggests the 49ers will discover efficiency here.

Red-zone attempts are difficult to gauge in the preseason as coaches don't typically reveal all their cards. But a team still wants to find continuity here, so San Francisco best figure out a way to execute more effectively in these critical situations.

Matchup X-Factors

49ers X-Factor of the Week: RB Jarryd Hayne

Running back Jarryd Hayne was the 49ers' X-factor of the week versus Dallas and, after such a stellar backup performance, why wouldn't he be again in Denver?

As noted previously by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Hayne is ranked second in the NFL with 117 rushing yards—three behind the preseason league leader running back Ronnie Hillman (whom the 49ers will face this weekend). And Hillman has three more carries than Hayne.

Being an unknown commodity has likely played into the rugby star's favor. One might have assumed Hayne was a long shot to make the 53-man roster. 

Now, it looks as if there will be no way to keep him off it.

Despite the unbelievable showing Hayne has displayed, it's impossible to immediately assume the rookie back will be a featured part of the 49ers offense. San Francisco already has proven backs with Carlos Hyde, Kendall Hunter and Reggie Bush likely to be named atop the depth chart.

And the developments of rookie running back Mike Davis have also been commendable. Davis had 34 yards on eight carries versus Dallas last week.

Assuming Hayne makes the roster, the 49ers will likely slate him as a return specialist first and only as a change-of-pace back when necessary.

Still, Hayne's efforts will be on full display against the Broncos.

Prediction: 49ers 17, Broncos 20

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Saturday's contest will mark the latest edition of the 49ers and Broncos history against each other.

The outcome of Saturday's game between San Francisco and Denver will mean less in regards to the score and more for those players hoping to avoid the first level of cuts, which will take place shortly after the contest.

Ninety players will become 75. And those 75 will eventually form the 53-man roster the 49ers will carry into Week 1 of the regular season.

Some of the first-cut players will be lucky enough to land jobs with other teams. Perhaps this is what will keep those third- and fourth-string players laying it all on the line when the fourth quarter rolls around in Denver.

As far as the game itself, San Francisco's defense should look to continue its solid efforts against a Broncos team that has scored 36 preseason points. And this unit will not have to contend with the likes of quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas for very long.

Offensively, though, the 49ers will have to discover the end zone—something that has been difficult for them over two exhibition bouts.

Denver may use its home-field advantage to come away with a victory in the semi-meaningless matchup. But if the 49ers offense clicks enough to suggest improvement, that should be enough to reveal a positive note.

Final Prediction: 49ers 17, Broncos 20

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers.

Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.