Stidham shines after Nix has a hard time as Broncos beat 49ers 30-9

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP)– Jarrett Stidham threw 2 TD passes following a dull performance from Bo Nix and Denver’s starters, and the Broncos beat the San Francisco 49ers 30-9 in the preseason opener Saturday night.The groups approached the game really in a different way following a joint practice on Thursday when leading players from both groups got plenty of work. San Francisco played only a handful of beginners in the game, while Denver played most of its front-line players for a minimum of a few series.Advertisement “The importance of coming off of a 3 -, four-day journey like this and a lot of

plays is the debrief, returning home and cleaning things up,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “There were a variety of things that we’re going to have to improve on.”Nix and the offense had three possessions with the first ending in a punt, the 2nd a security following an intentional grounding charge in the end zone and after that a field goal on a drive that began in San Francisco territory.The Broncos’ first-team offense managed 56 lawns on 18 have fun with Nix going 6 for 11 for 31 yards in his first game action in his 2nd season.Nix threw 29 TD passes as a novice to assist Denver make the postseason for the very first time considering that 2015 and Payton is depending on an even larger performance this season as the Broncos want to compete in the hard AFC.Advertisement Denver’s beginning defense likewise wasn’t sharp, allowing a 50-yard pass from Mac Jones to novice Jordan Watkins on the very first drive that set up a 5-yard TD run by

Patrick Taylor.Edge rush Nik Bonitto shined on the next drive with 2 sacks and a pressure to force a punt.”I thought we started sluggish– both very first units,”said Payton, who called the efficiency”typical to below average. “Stidham took advantage of his chance, benefiting from a protection bust to throw a 5-yard TD pass to Lucas Krull and then connecting on a 36-yarder to Trent Sherfield to make it 20-9 at the

half.Jones went 4 for 7 for 74 lawns in his first action with San Francisco as Brock Purdy’s new backup, but also tossed an interception on his final pass to end his third drive.Advertisement Carter Bradley and Tanner Mordecai struggled to move the ball for the Niners after they took control of beginning in the 2nd quarter.”It was aggravating, “coach Kyle Shanahan said.”I liked how we began, but after that there wasn’t much to be delighted about.

We didn’t get lots of first downs, four turnovers, the 3 choices, the fumble. … We made too many errors.”Injury updates San Francisco backup running back Ameer Abdullah

left in the 3rd quarter after hurting his ribs on a play when he lost a fumble. Rookie safety Marques Sigle entrusted to a bruised knee.Shanahan also stated that novice CB Upton Stout missed out on the game with tightness in his calf and security Richie Grant will be out about a week with a knee injury.Advertisement First-round defensive end Mykel Williams likewise will miss about a week after hyperextending his knee in practice Thursday.Payton said DE Matt Henningsen tore his Achilles tendon Thursday and will go through season-ending surgery.Up next Broncos: Hold a joint practice with Arizona before hosting the Cardinals next Saturday.49 ers: Hold a joint practice at Las Vegas before checking out the Raiders next Saturday.

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