By Morris Phillips

The third pre-season game is supposed to best reveal a team’s regular season outlook.  For the 49ers, who played the entire first half Saturday night in Denver with two completed passes and a field goal right before halftime, that outlook may be one with little or no offense.

And while Kaepernick and crew may settle in and evolve as Coach Jim Tomsula’s expects, the approach of 49ers’ opponents may not.  The Broncos—who went on to defeat the 49ers Saturday 19-12—saw the 49ers not only Saturday, but during the week in a series of controlled practices.  Not surprisingly, Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips turned up the pressure on the 49ers’ offensive line and Kaepernick with great success.

In the second quarter, Kaepernick was tackled by DeMarcus Ware in the end zone for a three-yard loss and a safety.  On that play, likely starter at right tackle Erik Pears was beaten, and right guard Ian Silberman, a sixth-round pick getting a look see with the starting group, failed to hold the point of attack.

On the final drive of the half, the only one in which Kaepernick was able to get the offense into scoring range, the Broncos kept up the pressure, and eventually forced the 49ers to settle for a 41-yard Phil Dawson field goal.  On that eight-play drive, Kaepernick scrambled for 34 yards on one play but accomplished little through the air.  Even with newly acquired deep threat Torrey Smith in the game, the team’s wideouts and tight end Vernon Davis were unable to create separation.

Similar to the 49ers’ first pre-season game, all the upheaval showed in the number of plays the 49ers were able to run.  On Saturday, Denver dominated the time of possession—nearly two to one—and San Francisco ran just 48 plays for 237 yards of offense.  Along with Silberman, second-year man Marcus Martin got his first look at center in place of Joe Looney, and Daniel Kilgore, who has yet been cleared to play following off-season surgery.

No matter the struggles, Tomsula reiterated his belief the group will be ready on September 14.

“They’re doing all of the right things to get where we need them to be for the season,” Tomsula said.  “They’re doing everything we’ve asked of them.  They’re working hard.  It will play itself out.”

Even with the lack of plays run, a couple of players made impressions.  Blake Bell had three catches as he attempts to capture the backup tight end role ahead of Vance McDonald.  And Reggie Bush and Kendall Hunter saw action and made notable contributions.  Hunter was seeing the first action of the pre-season following his 2014 season that was cut short.

Bruce Ellington, in a battle for a backup spot at receiver, made his first significant pre-season contribution with three catches.

Defensively, things looked far more promising.  Peyton Manning was made to look uncomfortable at times as the 49ers sacked him three times and he was picked off by Kenneth Acker.  Still, the Broncos at least got to evaluate their group as Manning completed 14 passes and led the Broncos on several positive drives.  Manning and company played a full half as well, but only had two field goals to show as the 49ers got stingy when pressed.

NaVorro Bowman again looked like the great player he was two seasons ago.  Bowman played much of the half and had a pair of sacks of Manning.  Michael Wilhoite, in his first significant action, registered five tackles and appears to have a hold on the inside linebacker spot opposite Bowman.  Corey Lemonier, first up in the battle to replace Aldon Smith, also played well.

The 49ers are expected to announce a round of cuts on Tuesday, with the final cut to 53 coming after the pre-season finale on Thursday against San Diego.