The San Francisco 49ers enter Week 4 undefeated, but the Denver Broncos bring one of the most dangerous defensive units San Francisco has faced this season.
Denver's offense has been inconsistent, but its defense has enough playmakers to completely change the direction of a game. That was on full display in the Broncos' 30-26 Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, when Denver's defense helped erase a 16-point halftime deficit.
Here are three Broncos the 49ers must account for Sunday.
Talanoa Hufanga
The most familiar threat is former 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Hufanga spent his first four NFL seasons in San Francisco, and now he returns to Levi's Stadium wearing Broncos colors. His Week 3 performance showed exactly why San Francisco must know where No. 9 is before every snap. Hufanga intercepted Matthew Stafford twice, returned one for a 66-yard touchdown, recorded a sack, and broke up three passes. His second interception ended the game.
Hufanga is at his best when he's allowed to trust his instincts and attack. For Brock Purdy, that means understanding that Denver's safety knows many of the concepts, motions, and tendencies he spent years practicing against in San Francisco.
Purdy can't allow him to anticipate a throw.
Zach Allen
The 49ers have done an outstanding job protecting Purdy through three weeks. Purdy entered Week 4 as the NFL's only qualified quarterback who had not been sacked this season.
Zach Allen could test that streak.
Against the Rams, Allen finished with a sack and five quarterback hits. Allen, Nik Bonitto, and Eyioma Uwazurike combined for eight quarterback hits as Denver began taking control defensively.
Edge pressure gets the headlines, but interior pressure can be even more disruptive to San Francisco's offense because it prevents Purdy from stepping into his throws. If Allen consistently pushes the middle of the pocket back, the timing of Kyle Shanahan's offense becomes much harder to maintain.
Patrick Surtain II
Then there's Patrick Surtain II.
Surtain remains the centerpiece of Denver's secondary and gives the Broncos what every defense covets: a cornerback who can handle difficult assignments without constant safety help. That affects more than whichever receiver lines up across from him.
If Denver trusts Surtain in isolated coverage, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph can dedicate additional resources toward Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and San Francisco's other weapons while creating more aggressive pressure packages.
Kyle Shanahan will use formations and motion to manufacture favorable matchups, but Purdy must understand when Surtain has effectively removed an option from the progression.
The Bottom Line
Denver's three biggest threats complement each other.
Surtain can shrink the field. Allen can shrink the pocket. And Hufanga can punish quarterbacks who hesitate or make the wrong decision.
The 49ers don't necessarily have to dominate Denver's defense, but they cannot let that defense take over the game.
More info on: George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy
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