Stidham Leads Broncos to 30-9 Victory Over 49ers in Preseason Opener

Jarrett Stidham showcased his skills with two touchdown passes as the Denver Broncos triumphed over the San Francisco 49ers, finishing 30-9 in their preseason opener on Saturday night.

Approaching the game with distinct strategies, the teams had engaged in a joint practice just days prior. While San Francisco opted to field only a few starters, Denver's first-string players saw significant action, taking the field for multiple series.

Bo Nix struggled during his time on the field, leading the offense through three possessions. The first ended in a punt, followed by a safety due to an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone. A field goal capped off a drive that began in favorable territory for Denver.

In his second season, Nix completed 6 of 11 passes for 31 yards, with the first-team offense managing a mere 56 yards across 18 plays. Last season, he threw 29 touchdown passes, helping the Broncos reach the postseason for the first time since 2015. Coach Sean Payton anticipates an even stronger performance from Nix this year as they aim to compete in the challenging AFC.

Denver's defense also faced challenges early on, allowing a 50-yard completion from Mac Jones to rookie Jordan Watkins on the opening drive, which set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Patrick Taylor.

However, edge rusher Nik Bonitto made an impact on the next series, recording two sacks and applying pressure that forced a punt.

Stidham capitalized on his opportunity, exploiting a coverage breakdown to throw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Krull. He later connected with Trent Sherfield on a 36-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 20-9 by halftime.

Jones, making his debut as Brock Purdy's backup for San Francisco, completed 4 of 7 passes for 74 yards but ended his third drive with an interception.

As the second quarter unfolded, Carter Bradley and Tanner Mordecai struggled to generate offense for the 49ers.

In the third quarter, San Francisco's backup running back Ameer Abdullah exited the game after sustaining rib injuries while fumbling the ball.

The Broncos will hold a joint practice with Arizona before facing the Cardinals next Saturday. Meanwhile, the 49ers are set for a joint practice in Las Vegas ahead of their matchup against the Raiders next Saturday.