Photo credit: denverbroncos.com

By: Joe Lami

The Denver Broncos head into Sunday’s game with three-straight wins. Since their bye in week ten, they’re the hottest team in the NFL and have brought their record to .500. The Broncos are firing on all cylinders after rolling off wins against the Chargers, Steelers, and Bengals.

They look to continue their success when they visit Santa Clara this weekend. Pushing themselves right back into the playoff hunt, at 6-6, they currently sit in the cluster of teams vying for the AFC Wild Card spots.

Their rejuvenated defense lead the Broncos. The addition of Bradley Chubb opposite of Von Miller has given new life to Miller. The two have combined for 22.5 sacks on the year. Miller is only behind Aaron Donald for the NFL lead with 12.5 sacks.

It’ll be critical for San Francisco to protect Nick Mullens, who is coming off of a 400-plus yards passing game. He was able to find chemistry with rookie, Dante Pettis, who is turning into the one shining light of the season.

Pettis brought in two more touchdown catches last week to bring his season total up to four. If he can continue the success, he should be a dangerous speed option for Garoppollo next season.

Turnovers continue to be a key for the 49ers, the NFL’s worst team at turnover differential. The defense has put the offense in a tight position all season, allowing zero room for error with just five takeaways. San Francisco’s defense went the entire month of November without one and haven’t taken the ball away since Week 8.

Denver is average in the turnover margin but is seventh best in the league with 21 takeaways on the year.

They will have everything to play for. San Francisco has nothing to play for this season.

The 49ers are in the exact opposite situation as the Broncos. Since their week 11 bye, they’ve lost two straight to the Buccaneers and the Seahawks by a combined score of 70-25.

Things are spiraling out of control for the third time in four seasons for the red and gold, and they need a solid performance at home to give any reason why the Faithful should still support them this season.

The 49ers need to show they haven’t quit yet. Things got ugly last week heading into halftime down 20-3, but they pieced something together scoring two touchdowns in the second half to show some pulse.