The Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers matchup on October 4, 2026, ended with a 24-14 victory for San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium. The game remained close through three quarters before the 49ers produced a decisive fourth-quarter performance. San Francisco improved to 4-0, while Denver dropped to 2-2. The teams entered halftime tied 3-3, but the 49ers scored three touchdowns after the break to pull away and secure their fourth consecutive win.
The contest featured strong performances from Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Mike Evans for San Francisco. Denver quarterback Bo Nix completed 25 of 42 passes for 214 yards and one touchdown. Jaylen Waddle caught the Broncos’ only touchdown, while RJ Harvey contributed 68 receiving yards. San Francisco’s defense also created important momentum, including a third-quarter fumble recovery that set up the team’s first touchdown.
Final Score
| Quarter | Denver Broncos | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 3 | 0 |
| Q2 | 0 | 3 |
| Q3 | 0 | 7 |
| Q4 | 11 | 14 |
| Final | 14 | 24 |
The 49ers entered halftime with the score tied at 3-3 after both teams managed only one field goal during the opening two quarters. Denver opened the scoring with a 52-yard Wil Lutz field goal, while San Francisco answered with a 24-yard kick from Eddy Piñeiro.
San Francisco took control in the second half. Deebo Samuel Sr. caught a one-yard touchdown from Purdy in the third quarter after Siran Neal forced and recovered a Marvin Mims Jr. fumble. Christian McCaffrey then scored a one-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Denver answered with a Jaylen Waddle touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, but George Kittle’s 56-yard touchdown catch later restored San Francisco’s advantage.
Brock Purdy Player Stats
Brock Purdy delivered an efficient performance for San Francisco. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. His passing became particularly effective after halftime, when the 49ers began finding more success against Denver’s defense.
Purdy completed nine of 14 second-half passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. His most important completion came late in the fourth quarter when he connected with George Kittle for a 56-yard touchdown. Purdy also rushed 10 times for 29 yards, including an 11-yard scramble that helped extend a drive.
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Bo Nix Player Stats
Bo Nix led Denver’s offense and completed 25 of 42 passes for 214 yards and one touchdown. He did not throw an interception, but the Broncos struggled to generate enough consistent offense during the first three quarters.
Nix eventually found Jaylen Waddle for a 13-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The score, followed by Tyler Badie’s successful two-point conversion, brought Denver within five points at 17-14. However, the Broncos could not complete the comeback after San Francisco answered with Kittle’s long touchdown.
Christian McCaffrey Leads the Ground Game
Christian McCaffrey remained an important part of the San Francisco offense. He carried the ball 15 times for 52 yards and scored a one-yard touchdown. He also contributed 18 receiving yards, giving him 70 total yards from scrimmage.
McCaffrey’s touchdown came during the fourth quarter after the 49ers drove 74 yards on nine plays. His short scoring run extended San Francisco’s advantage to 17-6 and gave the 49ers an important cushion before Denver’s late rally.
George Kittle Delivers the Decisive Highlight
George Kittle produced the biggest offensive play of the game. He caught four passes for 70 yards and one touchdown, with his longest reception covering 56 yards. That reception came with 2:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The 56-yard touchdown effectively ended Denver’s comeback hopes. Kittle’s catch came after the Broncos had reduced San Francisco’s lead to only three points. Purdy found him on a short-left pass, and Kittle raced downfield for the touchdown. It was his longest reception since 2023.
Mike Evans Provides Consistent Production
Mike Evans led the 49ers in receiving yardage with five catches for 76 yards. He also made several important plays during San Francisco’s offensive drives, including a 17-yard reception that helped put the 49ers near the goal line.
Evans entered the game with a rib injury but remained productive. His ability to create first downs helped San Francisco maintain offensive balance while Denver focused attention on McCaffrey and Kittle. His 76 receiving yards represented the highest total among San Francisco’s wide receivers.
Jaylen Waddle Scores Denver’s Only Touchdown
Jaylen Waddle produced Denver’s only touchdown of the game. He caught five passes for 35 yards, with his biggest reception coming on the 13-yard touchdown from Nix in the fourth quarter.
The touchdown gave Denver a chance to complete a comeback. Tyler Badie then ran for the successful two-point conversion, reducing San Francisco’s lead to 17-14. The Broncos needed another defensive stop, but the 49ers responded with the Kittle touchdown that ultimately decided the game.
Denver Broncos Team Statistics
Denver finished with 296 total yards on 64 offensive plays. The Broncos recorded 214 passing yards and 82 rushing yards. They held possession for 30:53 and averaged 4.6 yards per play.
The Broncos avoided an interception but lost one fumble. Their biggest issue came from limited rushing production, as Denver averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. The offense also struggled to convert its opportunities into touchdowns until late in the fourth quarter.
San Francisco 49ers Team Statistics
San Francisco finished with 358 total yards on 65 plays. The 49ers produced 218 passing yards and 140 rushing yards while averaging 5.5 yards per play. They held possession for 29:07 and did not commit a turnover.
San Francisco’s offense became much more effective after halftime. The 49ers scored three touchdowns after the break and used their rushing attack to complement Purdy’s passing. The defense and special teams also created an important turnover when Siran Neal forced a fumble from Mims on a punt return.
Key Defensive Plays
San Francisco’s defense established the tone during the opening half. The 49ers held Denver to only three points before halftime and repeatedly forced the Broncos to settle for punts. Dre Greenlaw led the team with 12 tackles and remained active throughout the contest.
Siran Neal produced the game’s most important special-teams play. He forced a fumble from Marvin Mims Jr. on a punt return and recovered the ball at Denver’s 28-yard line. San Francisco converted that short field into a touchdown, with Purdy finding Deebo Samuel Sr. for a one-yard score.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Makes an Impact
Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed both as a runner and receiver. He rushed three times for 44 yards, including a 22-yard run, and also caught his one-yard touchdown pass from Purdy.
His rushing ability added another dimension to San Francisco’s offense. The 22-yard run showed Samuel’s ability to create yards after contact and helped keep Denver’s defense from focusing exclusively on McCaffrey. His touchdown gave the 49ers their first lead of the game.
Fourth-Quarter Comeback Attempt
Denver entered the fourth quarter trailing only 10-3, leaving plenty of time for a comeback. Wil Lutz opened the quarter with a 40-yard field goal to cut the deficit to four points. McCaffrey then answered with his one-yard touchdown, giving San Francisco a 16-6 lead before the extra point.
The Broncos refused to go away. Nix connected with Waddle for the 13-yard touchdown, and Badie converted the two-point attempt. That sequence made the score 17-14 and placed significant pressure on the 49ers. San Francisco responded immediately with Kittle’s 56-yard touchdown, putting the game beyond Denver’s reach.
Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers Match Player Stats
| Player | Team | Passing | Rushing | Receiving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nix | Broncos | 25/42, 214 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT | 2-10 | — |
| Brock Purdy | 49ers | 19/30, 218 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT | 10-29 | — |
| J.K. Dobbins | Broncos | — | 11-40 | — |
| RJ Harvey | Broncos | — | 7-25 | 10-68 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 49ers | — | 15-52, 1 TD | — |
| Deebo Samuel Sr. | 49ers | — | 3-44 | — |
| Jaylen Waddle | Broncos | — | — | 5-35, 1 TD |
| George Kittle | 49ers | — | — | 4-70, 1 TD |
| Mike Evans | 49ers | — | — | 5-76 |
| Pat Bryant | Broncos | — | — | 3-47 |
These numbers show how San Francisco won through balance. Purdy supplied 218 passing yards, McCaffrey provided a rushing touchdown, and Kittle and Evans created major receiving production. Denver received solid passing numbers from Nix but could not match San Francisco’s second-half scoring.
Game Highlights and Turning Points
The first major turning point came when Siran Neal forced the Mims fumble in the third quarter. The 49ers immediately capitalized with Samuel’s one-yard touchdown, transforming a tied game into a 10-3 San Francisco lead.
The decisive moment arrived in the final minutes. Denver had reduced the deficit to 17-14 and appeared capable of completing the comeback. Purdy then found Kittle for a 56-yard touchdown, giving San Francisco a 24-14 advantage. Denver’s final attempt ended when Lutz missed a 58-yard field goal with 1:18 remaining.
What the Result Means for Both Teams
The victory moved San Francisco to 4-0 and gave the 49ers their third 4-0 start since 2019. The team also completed its three-game homestand with three victories. San Francisco’s ability to overcome a slow first half demonstrated the offense’s improvement as the game progressed.
Denver fell to 2-2 after the defeat. The Broncos remained competitive for most of the game and entered the fourth quarter within one score. However, turnovers, limited rushing production, and San Francisco’s late offensive explosion prevented Denver from securing another comeback victory.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers Match Player Stats, Score and Highlights show a game that changed dramatically after halftime. The teams were tied 3-3 at the break, but San Francisco scored three touchdowns in the second half to win 24-14. Brock Purdy finished with 218 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Christian McCaffrey added a rushing touchdown and George Kittle delivered the decisive 56-yard score.
Denver received 214 passing yards and a touchdown from Bo Nix, while Jaylen Waddle scored during the fourth-quarter comeback attempt. The Broncos also received useful production from RJ Harvey, but the offense could not maintain momentum after pulling within three points. San Francisco’s defense, special teams, and late offensive execution ultimately secured a 4-0 start.
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