The Denver Broncos dropped to 0-2 in preseason play after falling to the San Francisco 49ers (1-1) in Week 2 of preseason on Saturday night.
The 49ers’ first-team offense marched down the field on their opening drive against the Broncos’ first-team defense, going 69 yards on 10 plays before stalling and settling for a 20-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Denver matched that opening score with a 13-play, 49-yard drive that ended in a 48-yard field goal from kicker Brett Maher that tied the game at 3-3. Maher later converted a 34-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 6-3 lead that the team held into halftime.
After the 49ers took a 9-6 lead in the second half, Denver retook the lead after rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin scored on an eight-yard run to make it 13-9 late in the third quarter.
San Francisco then added a field goal in the fourth quarter to make it 13-12. The Broncos extended their lead when quarterback Ben DiNucci hit McLaughlin for a nine-yard score to make it 20-12. The Niners matched that touchdown but failed on their two-point attempt, making it 20-18.
San Francisco then got the ball again late and went 64 yards and kicked a 32-yard field goal to win 21-20.
Quarterback Russell Wilson played one drive and looked sharp. He went 3-of-6 passing for 24 yards and also made plays with his legs, rushing three times for 25 yards. One of Wilson’s incompletions was a drop and another incompletion was a throwaway.
Denver running back Javonte Williams made his 2023 debut on Saturday, returning to the field for the first time since his 2022 knee injury. The third-year running back rushed three times for 12 yards and caught four passes for 18 yards.
Broncos rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims made his (preseason) NFL debut after sitting out last week’s opener. Mims caught one pass for eight yards and fair caught a punt return.
On defense, cornerback Essang Bassey and defensive lineman Elijah Garcia both recorded interceptions. Both players have played well through two weeks of preseason, helping their chances of making the 53-man roster.
On the injury front, wide receiver Jalen Virgil suffered a knee injury on the final play of the first half and did not return to the game.
Up next for the Broncos is a home game against the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason finale.
