Denver Broncos vs 49ers Match Player Stats
The Denver Broncos vs 49ers Match Player Stats from the August 9, 2025 NFL preseason opener tell a much more interesting story than the final score alone. Denver defeated San Francisco 30-9, but the most useful information comes from the individual performances, turnover margin, quarterback efficiency, rushing production, and the way both teams performed in different phases of the game. Denver scored 20 points in the second quarter and finished strongly, while San Francisco scored all nine of its points in the opening period and was held scoreless for the remainder of the contest.
This game was particularly useful for evaluating players competing for roster positions and preseason roles. Jarrett Stidham delivered an extremely efficient passing performance for Denver, while the Broncos defense created three interceptions. On the other side, San Francisco struggled to sustain offensive production, finishing with only 107 passing yards, three interceptions, and 50 total offensive plays.
For anyone studying the Denver Broncos vs 49ers Match Player Stats, the biggest lesson is that preseason box scores need to be read in context. Individual efficiency, turnover creation, offensive volume, and situational execution often provide more useful information than the final score by itself.
Denver Broncos vs 49ers Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The preseason matchup took place on August 9, 2025, during NFL Preseason Week 1. Denver finished with a 30-9 victory over San Francisco.
The scoring pattern was unusual. San Francisco started quickly, scoring nine points in the first quarter, but Denver responded with a 20-point second quarter. The Broncos then added three points in the third quarter and seven more in the fourth.
Final Score by Quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 30 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
The quarter-by-quarter breakdown matters because the game changed dramatically after the opening period.
San Francisco scored all nine of its points before halftime, while Denver produced its strongest stretch in the second quarter. The Broncos then controlled the remainder of the game without allowing another San Francisco point.
That second-half defensive performance is one of the clearest takeaways from the box score.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: San Francisco Starts Fast
Denver failed to score in the opening quarter, while San Francisco put nine points on the board.
At that stage, the 49ers appeared to have the early advantage. However, the Broncos were able to adjust and completely change the direction of the game.
The first quarter therefore provides useful context, but it does not represent the overall performance. San Francisco’s offense could not maintain its early scoring pace.
Second Quarter: Denver Takes Control
The second quarter was the turning point.
Denver scored 20 points while San Francisco was shut out. That 20-point swing created the foundation for the eventual 30-9 victory.
The Broncos’ offensive efficiency was especially notable during this stretch. Jarrett Stidham finished his passing work with 14 completions on 15 attempts for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
That performance helped Denver convert offensive opportunities into points instead of allowing possessions to stall.
Third Quarter: Denver Maintains Its Advantage
Denver added another three points in the third quarter, while San Francisco remained scoreless.
The game was no longer a close contest, but the Broncos continued to control the scoreboard. San Francisco’s offense never recovered its early momentum.
Fourth Quarter: Broncos Finish the Job
Denver added seven more points in the final quarter.
San Francisco again failed to score, meaning the 49ers went through the final three quarters without adding to their first-quarter total.
That makes the defensive side of the box score particularly important when analyzing the matchup.
Denver Broncos Passing Performance
The most efficient individual passing performance belonged to Jarrett Stidham.
Jarrett Stidham’s Numbers
Stidham completed 14 of 15 passes for 136 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. His reported passer rating was 144.0.
| Statistic | Jarrett Stidham |
| Completions | 14 |
| Attempts | 15 |
| Completion Rate | 93.3% |
| Passing Yards | 136 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 144.0 |
A 14-of-15 performance represents a completion rate of approximately 93.3 percent.
The most important aspect is not simply the completion percentage. Stidham also avoided an interception while producing two touchdown passes. That combination made his limited workload highly productive.
His performance was one of the strongest individual statistical displays in the game.
Denver’s Passing Unit
As a team, Denver completed 26 of 36 passes for 215 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
The Broncos posted a team passer rating of 115.7.
The absence of interceptions is especially important when compared with San Francisco’s three interceptions. In a preseason environment, where quarterbacks and young offensive players are often trying to prove themselves, protecting the football can be just as important as accumulating yards.
San Francisco 49ers Passing Performance
San Francisco’s passing production was significantly less efficient.
Mac Jones completed four of seven passes for 74 yards. He did not throw a touchdown and was intercepted once. His passer rating was listed at 54.2.
| Statistic | Mac Jones |
| Completions | 4 |
| Attempts | 7 |
| Completion Rate | 57.1% |
| Passing Yards | 74 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 54.2 |
The limited attempt total should be considered when judging Jones individually. A preseason quarterback’s workload can vary substantially based on coaching plans and playing time.
However, the broader team numbers reveal the larger issue.
San Francisco completed only 13 of 27 passes for 107 yards, with no passing touchdowns and three interceptions. The team finished with a passer rating of 22.2.
That is a major statistical contrast with Denver’s 115.7 team rating.
Rushing Production
Denver ran the football 34 times for 153 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.
San Francisco had 23 rushing attempts for 96 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt.
| Team | Attempts | Yards | Average | TDs |
| Denver Broncos | 34 | 153 | 4.5 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 23 | 96 | 4.2 | 1 |
The Broncos therefore produced more rushing attempts and more total rushing yards.
Jarrett Stidham as a Runner
Stidham was also Denver’s listed rushing leader.
He carried the ball three times for 36 yards, an average of 12.0 yards per carry.
That is a small sample, so it should not be treated as evidence of a major change in his regular offensive role. Still, it contributed to an impressive all-around statistical night.
Corey Kiner Leads San Francisco
Corey Kiner led the 49ers in rushing.
He recorded 10 carries for 45 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Kiner’s workload was much larger than Stidham’s rushing workload, making his rushing numbers more representative of the team’s running game during his opportunities.
The 49ers did manage one rushing touchdown as a team, compared with zero rushing touchdowns for Denver.
Receiving Leaders
Denver’s receiving production was led by Trent Sherfield.
Sherfield caught three passes for 73 yards and one touchdown. His 24.3 yards per reception average was the highest among Denver’s listed receiving leaders.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Average |
| Trent Sherfield | 3 | 73 | 1 | 24.3 |
| Jordan Watkins | 3 | 56 | 0 | 18.7 |
San Francisco’s leading receiver was Jordan Watkins, who recorded three receptions for 56 yards.
Watkins averaged 18.7 yards per reception, showing that San Francisco did generate some explosive receiving production even though the overall passing attack struggled.
Denver Receiving Team Numbers
Denver finished with 26 receptions for 222 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
The team averaged 8.5 yards per reception.
The three touchdown receptions are particularly significant because Denver’s offense was able to turn passing production into actual points.
San Francisco Receiving Team Numbers
San Francisco recorded 13 receptions for 127 yards and no receiving touchdowns.
The 49ers averaged 9.8 yards per reception.
The higher average per catch did not translate into greater offensive success because the team had fewer completions, fewer total passing yards, and three interceptions.
This is a useful reminder that yards per reception alone cannot explain an offense’s effectiveness.
Defensive Player and Team Statistics
The defensive statistics provide perhaps the clearest explanation for Denver’s second-half control.
Denver recorded:
- 56 total tackles
- 37 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 4 tackles for loss
- 6 pass defenses
- 3 interceptions
San Francisco recorded:
- 75 total tackles
- 51 solo tackles
- 2 sacks
- 5 tackles for loss
- 4 pass defenses
- 0 interceptions
The tackle totals favor San Francisco, but that does not necessarily mean the 49ers defense played better.
A high tackle total can sometimes reflect how much time a defense spends on the field. Denver’s offense produced 70 total plays, compared with only 50 for San Francisco.
The more revealing difference is the turnover production.
Denver’s Three Interceptions
Denver intercepted San Francisco’s quarterbacks three times.
The interceptions were recorded by:
- Karene Reid, one interception for five return yards
- Ja’Quan McMillian, one interception
- Joshua Pickett, one interception
Three interceptions without throwing one themselves gave Denver a significant turnover advantage.
That advantage is particularly important in a game where the final margin was 21 points.
Turnovers do not tell the entire story, but three defensive interceptions combined with zero offensive interceptions create a powerful statistical explanation for Denver’s victory.
Turnover Battle
Denver recorded two fumbles but lost none.
San Francisco also recorded two fumbles but lost one.
Combined with the interception totals, the turnover picture strongly favored Denver.
| Category | Denver | San Francisco |
| Interceptions Thrown | 0 | 3 |
| Fumbles | 2 | 2 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 | 1 |
| Total Turnover Losses | 0 | 4 |
The Broncos did not lose possession through either an interception or a fumble.
San Francisco, by comparison, lost the ball four times according to the supplied team statistics.
That is one of the most important statistical differences in the entire matchup.
Offensive Volume and Efficiency
Another major difference was offensive volume.
Denver ran 70 offensive plays.
San Francisco ran only 50.
| Team | Total Plays | Pass Attempts | Rush Attempts |
| Denver | 70 | 36 | 34 |
| San Francisco | 50 | 27 | 23 |
Denver therefore ran 20 more offensive plays.
That difference matters because more plays create more opportunities to gain yards, score touchdowns, and control possession.
Denver also maintained a relatively balanced offensive approach, with 36 pass attempts and 34 rushing attempts.
San Francisco had 27 pass attempts and 23 rushing attempts.
The Broncos’ balance helped them generate 215 passing yards and 153 rushing yards.
Comparing the Two Quarterbacks
The quarterback comparison is one of the most searched and useful parts of the Denver Broncos vs 49ers Match Player Stats.
| Statistic | Jarrett Stidham | Mac Jones |
| Completions | 14 | 4 |
| Attempts | 15 | 7 |
| Completion Rate | 93.3% | 57.1% |
| Passing Yards | 136 | 74 |
| TD Passes | 2 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 144.0 | 54.2 |
Stidham was more efficient in every major passing category listed here.
His 14 completions on 15 attempts produced an exceptional completion rate. He also generated two touchdowns without committing a turnover.
Jones, meanwhile, produced 74 passing yards on seven attempts but did not throw a touchdown and was intercepted once.
However, it would be a mistake to use one preseason game as a complete evaluation of either quarterback. Playing time, surrounding personnel, offensive schemes, and preseason objectives can all affect individual statistics.
The correct takeaway is narrower: Stidham had the more efficient statistical performance in this particular game.
Trent Sherfield’s Explosive Receiving Performance
Sherfield deserves special attention because his three receptions generated 73 yards and one touchdown.
His 24.3 yards per catch average indicates that his contributions were not based on short, high-volume receptions.
Instead, he provided significant yardage on limited opportunities.
For a preseason game, this type of performance can be valuable because explosive plays immediately stand out on the stat sheet. It also shows why receiving volume should not be viewed in isolation.
A receiver with three catches can sometimes have a greater impact than another player with more receptions if those catches create substantial field position or points.
Jordan Watkins Provides San Francisco’s Receiving Highlight
Jordan Watkins led the 49ers with three catches for 56 yards.
His 18.7 yards per reception average was also strong.
The issue for San Francisco was not simply the absence of individual receiving production. The larger problem was the team’s inability to combine those plays into consistent scoring drives.
The 49ers finished with 127 receiving yards but no receiving touchdowns.
That distinction is important when interpreting player statistics.
Yardage can show the ability to gain ground, but touchdowns and turnovers often have a much more direct effect on the final result.
Special Teams Performance
Special teams also played a role in the statistical picture.
Denver
Courtney Jackson led Denver in kick returns with one return for 28 yards.
He also recorded two punt returns for 31 yards.
Wil Lutz handled the kicking duties and was perfect on his listed attempts:
- 3 of 3 field goals
- 3 of 3 extra points
- 12 total points
Jeremy Crawshaw punted three times for 111 yards, averaging 37.0 yards per punt. His longest punt traveled 50 yards.
San Francisco
Dallis Flowers returned three kicks for 73 yards, averaging 24.3 yards per return.
Junior Bergen recorded one punt return for 28 yards.
Jake Moody converted his one extra-point attempt and finished with one point. He did not attempt a field goal.
Thomas Morstead punted five times for 202 yards, averaging 40.4 yards per punt, with a long of 44 yards.
These numbers show that both teams had meaningful special teams activity, although Denver’s scoring efficiency from kicking was more notable because Lutz converted all three field goal attempts and all three extra points.
Why the Turnover Margin Matters So Much
If one statistic best explains the game, it is the turnover differential.
Denver threw zero interceptions and lost zero fumbles.
San Francisco threw three interceptions and lost one fumble.
That means San Francisco surrendered four possessions through turnovers while Denver did not lose a possession through either of the listed turnover categories.
This creates a major advantage even when other defensive statistics are relatively close.
San Francisco actually recorded more total tackles and more solo tackles. Yet those numbers did not translate into scoreboard success.
That contrast is important for anyone using player statistics to evaluate football games. Volume statistics can describe what happened, but efficiency and possession-changing plays often explain why it happened.
What the Offensive Play Count Tells Us
Denver’s 70 offensive plays compared with San Francisco’s 50.
That is a 20-play difference.
The Broncos also had a nearly even distribution between pass attempts and rushing attempts.
This balance helped Denver accumulate 153 rushing yards and 215 passing yards.
San Francisco’s lower offensive volume made it more difficult to recover after its passing game began turning the ball over.
The 49ers had 50 total offensive plays, and their three interceptions further reduced the value of those possessions.
The result was a game where Denver had both more opportunities and better possession security.
What the Stats Say About Denver
The most encouraging statistical elements for Denver were efficiency and ball security.
The Broncos:
- Scored 30 points
- Ran 70 offensive plays
- Produced 215 passing yards
- Produced 153 rushing yards
- Threw three passing touchdowns
- Threw zero interceptions
- Recorded three defensive interceptions
- Lost zero fumbles
- Converted all three field goal attempts
- Scored 20 points in the second quarter
The combination is more meaningful than any single number.
Denver did not simply win because of one spectacular individual performance. The team produced useful results across offense, defense, and special teams.
What the Stats Say About San Francisco
San Francisco’s most encouraging statistical elements were its early scoring and some individual rushing and receiving production.
The 49ers recorded 96 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Jordan Watkins produced 56 receiving yards on three catches.
Corey Kiner averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 10 rushing attempts.
However, the larger team picture was difficult.
San Francisco:
- Scored only nine points
- Ran 50 offensive plays
- Produced 107 passing yards
- Produced 96 rushing yards
- Threw zero passing touchdowns
- Threw three interceptions
- Lost one fumble
- Finished with a 22.2 team passer rating
- Failed to score after the first quarter
The inability to score during the final three quarters was the biggest problem.
Key Statistical Lessons From the Game
1. Efficiency can matter more than volume
Stidham attempted only 15 passes but completed 14.
His limited workload was highly efficient.
This demonstrates why attempts alone should never be used to judge a quarterback’s performance.
2. Turnovers can overwhelm other statistics
San Francisco’s defense recorded more tackles than Denver’s defense.
Yet Denver won comfortably.
The difference was not simply tackle volume. Denver created three interceptions and protected the football.
3. Explosive plays can change a game
Sherfield’s 73 yards on three receptions show the value of high-impact receiving plays.
A small number of successful plays can have a major effect when they generate large chunks of yardage and touchdowns.
4. Second-half performance matters
San Francisco scored nine points in the first quarter but zero during the next three quarters.
Denver scored 30 points across the final three quarters after being shut out in the first.
That reversal is a major part of the game’s statistical story.
5. Team statistics need context
San Francisco had more tackles, but Denver had more offensive plays.
The 49ers had a better yards-per-reception average, but Denver had three receiving touchdowns.
This is why individual statistics should be analyzed together instead of viewed as isolated numbers.
A Practical Way to Read Preseason Player Stats
The Denver Broncos vs 49ers Match Player Stats are useful, but preseason statistics should be interpreted carefully.
A practical approach is to examine five categories.
Start With Playing Opportunity
A player with 40 snaps naturally has more opportunities than a player with 15.
Without knowing every player’s exact workload, avoid assuming that fewer statistics automatically mean poorer performance.
Look at Efficiency
Completion percentage, yards per attempt, yards per carry, yards per reception, and passer rating can reveal efficiency that raw totals may hide.
Examine Turnovers
Interceptions and lost fumbles are among the most important individual events in football.
Denver’s zero turnovers compared with San Francisco’s four lost possessions is a clear example.
Separate Individual and Team Results
A player can perform well on a team that loses.
Jordan Watkins produced 56 receiving yards despite San Francisco’s 30-9 defeat.
Likewise, a player can have modest individual volume while contributing to a winning team performance.
Avoid Overreacting to One Game
This was an NFL preseason game.
The numbers are real and useful, but they represent one game in a specific preseason setting.
The strongest analysis therefore identifies what the statistics clearly show without pretending that one box score can predict an entire regular season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Denver Broncos vs 49ers game?
Denver defeated San Francisco 30-9 on August 9, 2025, in NFL Preseason Week 1.
Who was Denver’s leading passer?
Jarrett Stidham completed 14 of 15 passes for 136 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His listed passer rating was 144.0.
Who led the 49ers in passing?
Mac Jones completed four of seven passes for 74 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. His listed passer rating was 54.2.
Who led Denver in receiving?
Trent Sherfield led Denver with three receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown.
Who led San Francisco in receiving?
Jordan Watkins led the 49ers with three receptions for 56 yards.
How many interceptions did Denver record?
Denver recorded three interceptions. Karene Reid, Ja’Quan McMillian, and Joshua Pickett each recorded one.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos vs 49ers Match Player Stats show a game defined by efficiency, possession control, and a dramatic change after the opening quarter.
San Francisco scored nine points in the first quarter, but Denver responded with 20 points in the second and continued to control the game through the final whistle. The Broncos finished with 70 offensive plays, 215 passing yards, 153 rushing yards, and three passing touchdowns.
Jarrett Stidham was the standout offensive statistical performer for Denver. His 14-of-15 passing line, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 144.0 passer rating made him one of the clearest individual highlights of the matchup.
Denver’s defense was equally important. Three interceptions and zero lost fumbles gave the Broncos a major advantage in possession security. San Francisco, meanwhile, finished with three interceptions and one lost fumble.
The receiving numbers also produced notable individual performances. Trent Sherfield generated 73 yards and a touchdown on only three receptions, while Jordan Watkins led San Francisco with 56 yards on three catches.
The broader lesson is that football statistics become more meaningful when they are connected. Tackles, passing yards, rushing attempts, receiving averages, turnovers, scoring distribution, and offensive play volume all tell different parts of the story. In this matchup, those pieces consistently pointed toward Denver’s 30-9 victory.
