49ers rally late to beat Broncos in preseason game
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) following the NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. The 49ers won 21-20. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
2023.08.19 – Rookie quarterback Trey Lance set up two fourth-quarter scores, including the winning 32-yard field goal from Jake Moody on the final play of the San Francisco 49ers’ 21-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in the second preseason game on Saturday night.
Lance and Moody got some vindication on the final drive for the 49ers. Lance shook off an interception on his first drive, and Moody bounced back after missing two field goals last week and an extra point earlier in the game to convert the winner as he tries to show why the Niners used a third-round pick on a kicker.
“There’s pressure in those situations,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “That’s really what he has to go through, those pressure moments. It was cool to generate some of those for him today. It was a step forward from last week.”
Lance followed up last week’s shaky start by throwing an interception on a screen pass on his first possession of the game. But he also threw a 22-yard TD pass to Cameron Latu and two big passes to Ronnie Bell to set up the winning kick.
Lance finished 12 for 18 for 173 yards.
“I feel like every time I step on the field, I learn so much, I get so much better from every rep,” Lance said. “Just seeing as many pictures as I can and continue to get as many reps as I can with these guys.”
49ers Flagged
The 49ers were flagged for a personal foul because starting receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk left the bench area and raced into the end zone to celebrate Lance’s 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Latu with 2:34 remaining.
A pair of veterans whose night had ended after the game’s first offensive possession display their joy after teammates connected on a dramatic score.
“I was pretty pissed,” Shanahan said afterward. “But it’s the preseason and they were excited. Their boy scored so they’re excited for them. … But I told them in the locker room it was genius, cause it led to us being able to go for the win at the end.”
Remember… Lance is still in a battle with Sam Darnold to be the backup to starting quarterback Brock Purdy.
2023.08.19 (San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos) Game Highlights
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) center throws a pass to wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) in the second half during an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
2023.08.19 (San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos) Game Highlights
2023.08.19 (49ers vs. Broncos) Trey Lance Game Highlights
2023.08.19 (49ers vs. Broncos) Trey Lance Game Highlights
Purdy got his first game action since injuring his elbow in San Francisco’s NFC title game loss at Philadelphia. Purdy underwent surgery March 10 and made it back for training camp but didn’t play in the preseason opener at Las Vegas.
He looked good against the Broncos, throwing mostly short passes in his brief action. He went 4 for 5 for 65 yards — thanks in part to Samuel turning two short passes into long gains — but San Francisco (1-1) settled for a field goal after a sack in the red zone stalled the drive.
“It felt really good to be out there with the guys in a game environment,” Purdy said. “Obviously, just get the nerves out a little bit, just build up to a game and everything. … It felt really good to be out there for a drive and the game environment.”
Russell Wilson then came on for Denver and efficiently moved the Broncos (0-2) down the field on a 13-play drive that also ended in a field goal. After taking until his fourth drive last week to lead Denver to a score on a TD pass, Wilson looked better against a San Francisco defense that had most of its starters outside of holding out star edge rusher Nick Bosa.
Wilson completed 3 of 6 passes for 24 yards and also ran three times for 25 yards before turning the game over to Jarrett Stidham.
“I thought he was sharp,” coach Sean Payton said.
2023.08.19 – 49ers vs. Broncos (Larry Krueger – Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) completes a throw in the first quarter during an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
2023.08.19 – 49ers vs. Broncos (Larry Krueger – Post Game)
2023.08.19 – 49ers vs. Broncos (Larry Krueger – Post Game)
Darnold relieved Purdy and completed 11 of 14 passes for 109 yards. He had one pass intercepted that deflected off Bell and ended his night with an 11-yard TD pass to undrafted rookie fullback Jack Colletto.
Lance then overcame the shaky start to lead the Niners back for the win.
Moody’s 32-yard field goal on the final play of Saturday’s game didn’t soar majestically through the middle of the uprights, but it got the job done, securing a 21-20 walk-off victory that left Shanahan, his players and the 50,012 Niners fans who braved the three-hour spectacle feeling a little bit better about their second exhibition of the summer.
“I thought that’s what the preseason was for, to cheer your guys on,” 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said afterward. “But it all worked out great in the end. It was decided by guys who we’re rooting for to have a big game, to get that confidence boost, and they all showed up when we needed them most.”
BACK IN ACTION
Broncos running back Javonte Williams got the start in his first game action since going down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 last year. Williams dropped a screen pass on his first snap but kept busy after that. He had 3 carries for 12 yards and four catches for 18 yards in two drives.
2023.08.19 – 49ers vs. Broncos (Lombardi – Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers place kicker Jake Moody (4) makes the game winning field goal during an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. The 49ers won 21-20. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
2023.08.19 – 49ers vs. Broncos (Lombardi – Post Game)
2023.08.19 – 49ers vs. Broncos (Lombardi – Post Game)
“It was like a weight lifted off of me,” Williams said. “I was thinking it was going to hurt. But I really didn’t feel it.”
So here we are, in the aftermath of a 49ers’ technically meaningless game, wondering what it all means.
Can Lance build upon his cool and clutch late-game effort and summon a strong performance in next Friday’s preseason finale at Levi’s, against the Chargers? Have Latu and Bell (seven catches, 114 yards) shown enough to make the 53-man roster? Will Moody now settle down, settle in and make fans feel better about veteran Robbie Gould’s departure?
These and other questions remain as the 49ers look toward the finale of their Preseason Game Trilogy.
INJURY REPORT
Niners: WR Danny Gray left with a possible collarbone injury after getting hurt on the opening kick return. DL Kerry Hyder Jr. left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.
Broncos: WR Jalen Virgil left the game with a knee injury after getting hurt on a 50-yard catch on the final play of the first half. Virgil got tackled at the 1 and the clock ran out as Jarrett Stidham spiked the ball to try to set up a final play.
UP NEXT
Broncos: Host the Rams in the preseason finale next Saturday night.
49ers: Conclude the preseason at home against the Chargers on Friday night.
Related: 49ers endure loss to Raiders in preseason opener
Related: See below – 49ers Mostert Epic Dash to Super Bowl!
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the San Francisco 49ers, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
EMI Sports Central – EMI Sports Bay Area: Join the conversation on sports news for SF Bay Area teams: Follow @EMIsports on Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook and sign up for our FREE email newsletters.
