2026 Week 4 Recap: Four Key Takeaways from the Broncos’ Disheartening 24-14 Loss to San Francisco
The Denver Broncos (2-2) entered Sunday’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers (4-0) looking to prove they could compete with one of the NFL’s best teams.
For much of the afternoon, they did just that. But another slow start, Denver’s inability to establish the run, an untimely turnover and the failure to make a much-needed defensive stand kept the Broncos from finishing the job as San Francisco pulled away for a 24-14 victory at Levi’s Stadium.
Both defenses dominated in the first half, but the 49ers’ offense got the better of Denver’s defense down the stretch. The Broncos remained within striking distance until San Francisco’s final touchdown put the game out of reach.
Here are four key takeaways from the Broncos’ Week 4 loss to the 49ers:
1. Denver Let a Winnable Game Slip Away
For all of the Broncos’ problems Sunday, this was not a game Denver was simply overmatched in.
San Francisco entered the afternoon undefeated, but the two teams were tied 3-3 at halftime. The Broncos’ defense had done its job, holding the 49ers to just three points through the first two quarters, and Denver was still in position to take control of the game.
Instead, one of the game’s biggest momentum swings came from a mistake that the Broncos simply could not afford.
Early in the third quarter, Marvin Mims Jr. fumbled a punt return at the Denver 28-yard line. San Francisco immediately turned the short field into the game’s first touchdown, taking a 10-3 lead and shifting momentum firmly in its favor. The Broncos’ defense had just forced a three-and-out, but the turnover put the 49ers right back in scoring position.
San Francisco eventually extended its lead to 17-6, but Denver continued to fight. The Broncos cut the deficit to 17-14 with just over four minutes remaining, putting themselves in position to potentially complete another comeback.
But on the game’s ensuing possession, Denver’s defense surrendered a 56-yard touchdown to George Kittle with 2:15 remaining. Kittle’s touchdown gave the 49ers a 24-14 lead and effectively put the game out of reach.
The Broncos also struggled with discipline throughout the afternoon, committing seven penalties compared to just one for San Francisco.
Denver did not get blown out by one of the league’s best teams. The Broncos were within three points with just over four minutes remaining.
But that is also what makes the loss frustrating. Denver had multiple opportunities to take control of the game and ultimately could not overcome the mistakes that swung the momentum in the 49ers’ favor.
2. The Broncos’ Slow Starts and Struggling Run Game Are Becoming a Serious Problem
For the fourth consecutive game, Denver struggled to generate much offense early.
The Broncos have yet to record a first down on their opening possession this season, an alarming trend for a team that has scored just 13 first-half points through four games. Denver managed only three points in the first half Sunday as the two teams entered halftime tied 3-3.
While the defense deserves credit for keeping San Francisco’s offense largely in check, the Broncos’ inability to generate much offense early once again left them with little margin for error.
The problem goes beyond slow starts, though. Denver’s running game continues to struggle, and that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey combined for just 65 yards on 18 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. The Broncos finished with only 82 rushing yards as a team, and the 49ers’ defense consistently kept Denver from creating much of a threat on the ground.
The Broncos’ offense cannot become one-dimensional against the NFL’s best teams and expect to win consistently. Denver has now struggled to establish a reliable running game through four weeks, putting an enormous amount of pressure on Bo Nix and the passing game to carry the offense.
The Broncos are now four games into the season, and their running game is not scaring anyone. Until that changes, defenses will have fewer reasons to respect Denver’s rushing attack, which will be to the detriment of Nix and the team’s pass catchers.
3. The Broncos’ Defense Was Good Enough to Win – Until It Wasn’t
The final score doesn’t reflect how well Denver’s defense played against the 49ers for the first three quarters. The Broncos held San Francisco to just three points in the first half and kept the 49ers’ offense out of the end zone until 4:15 remained in the third quarter.
Denver also generated pressure on Brock Purdy, with Zach Allen recording three quarterback hits, but the Broncos could not bring him down for a sack. Purdy finished 19-of-30 for 218 yards and two touchdowns and has now gone through four games without being sacked.
That distinction matters. Denver’s pass rush was not nonexistent, but it needed to finish more of those pressures with sacks or drive-ending plays, particularly late in the game.
The unit could not come up with the final stop when it mattered most.
With the Broncos trailing 17-14 with just over four minutes remaining, San Francisco faced a second-and-8 situation from its own 44-yard line. The 49ers dialed up a screen to George Kittle, and he took the pass 56 yards for a touchdown, giving San Francisco a 24-14 lead and effectively putting the game away.
It was a frustrating ending to an otherwise encouraging defensive performance. Denver’s defense did enough to keep the game within reach, but championship-caliber teams have to find a way to make that final stop.
4. Injuries Will Test the Broncos’ Depth
Denver left Sunday’s game with more than just a loss.
Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss and Pat Bryant all suffered injuries and did not return to the contest. Surtain suffered a noncontact injury to his right ankle late in the first half and had to be helped to the locker room. Moss injured his ribs earlier in the game and was unable to return, while Bryant suffered a right ankle injury late in the third quarter after being tackled following a 30-yard catch-and-run. Bryant was carted off the field.
Losing Surtain and Moss simultaneously would be particularly challenging if either player is forced to miss time. Jahdae Barron would likely see a significant increase in playing time after stepping in for Surtain against the 49ers. Barron finished with three total tackles and a pass deflection, including a big hit on Kyle Juszczyk early in the fourth quarter.
Barron has already shown that he can handle an increased workload. Surtain missed three games in 2025, and the Broncos went 3-0 during that stretch while Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine split his role. That experience should give Denver some confidence if Surtain is forced to miss time again.
If Moss also misses extended time, Abrams-Draine appears to be the most likely replacement after playing 34 defensive snaps and recording three tackles against San Francisco. He also played a significant role during Surtain’s 2025 absence, giving the Broncos another young corner with experience in an expanded role.
Bryant’s injury could be just as significant on offense, particularly with him emerging as an increasingly important part of Denver’s passing game. If he misses time, Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin could see their roles increase, while Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram could also benefit from additional targets.
Franklin, in particular, has plenty of experience to draw upon despite being a non-factor early this season. He broke out in 2025 with 65 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns, giving the Broncos another proven option if his opportunity increases.
Losing Bryant for an extended stretch would certainly hurt, but Denver has enough depth to withstand his absence if he were to miss time. The same is true in the secondary, although the Broncos could quickly find themselves stretched thin if Barron or Abrams-Draine were to suffer an injury of their own.
The severity of the injuries remains unclear, but Sunday provided an early test of Denver’s depth – and there are reasons to believe the Broncos have capable players ready to step into larger roles.
