After taking a 9-0 lead, the 49ers were outscored 30-0 and lost to the Denver Broncos 30-9. There were some highlights, but the game was mostly lowlights, including four turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble). At least the coaching staff will have plenty of coaching points to make this week, especially the QB coach (more on that later).
Here are my rapid reactions—my initial thoughts as the action unfolded.
- So, Jordan Watkins is pretty good. He had a big catch early in the first drive.
- Mac Jones looks the part, too. But I wouldn't anticipate any QB controversy in San Francisco. Brock Purdy's job is safe.
- Is Tatum Bethune the 49ers' most improved player?
- Robert Saleh has already made the 49ers defense better.
- If Junior Bergen keeps returning punts like this, he will make the team.
- Spencer Burford is not a good tackle. Please stay healthy, Trent Williams.
- It's just preseason, but Chase Lucas looks good.
- Saleh is cooking!
- I like Marques Sigle and can't wait until he starts. He's going to be a difference-maker.
- Have I mentioned Robert Saleh? He has his backup defense hanging tough against Denver's starting offense.
- Nice to see Darrell Luter, Jr. making plays.
- Kalia Davis made a play. Good for him.
- Carter Bradley is no Mac Jones. I hope having the son of a coach doesn't make it harder to move on from him.
- Not sure what happened on that Denver touchdown. That was ugly.
- The 49ers were dominant in the first quarter. Not so much in the second quarter.
- I don't like Jake Moody starting the second half by kicking it into the end zone.
- Wow, I just noticed Sigle had seven tackles before he left with an injury. He was all over the place.
- Corey Kiner is running the ball well. Jordan James better get healthy soon, or he may follow Trey Sermon and Ty Davis-Price by losing out to a guy not even drafted.
- I hope Tanner Mordecai can show something this preseason, because I've seen enough of Carter Bradley.
- Dang, Ameer Abdullah was running the ball well before that injury (except for the fumble). I hope he's ok.
- Watching Nick Martin miss multiple tackles is not what I wanted to see. Especially after watching too many missed tackles last season. But I'm sure he'll learn from this and get better.
- Bradley's offense scored fewer points than the 49ers' defense tonight.
- Tre Brown is making some plays out there. It's been against backups, but he's made some plays.
- Come on, Mordecai. All you had to do was be better than Bradley. Both QBs were awful and put up fewer points than the defense (which was only two)!
- Sebastian Valdez is a keeper. He was pushing people around out there.
- The lack of depth on this roster is concerning.
The 49ers will travel to Las Vegas next week to practice with the Raiders. Then, the two teams will meet in the second preseason game on Saturday. Will Kyle Shanahan play any starters, or will he wait until the final preseason game to get those guys some snaps?
Written By:
Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
YouTube.com/@49ersCamelot
Find the 49ers Camelot show wherever you listen to your podcasts!
All articles by Marc Adams
Marc Adams
Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
YouTube.com/@49ersCamelot
Find the 49ers Camelot show wherever you listen to your podcasts!
All articles by Marc Adams
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