Game balls, quotable and a look ahead following the Broncos’ 11-10 win over the 49ers.
Game Balls
Josey Jewell
Welcome back, Josey. Returning to the field for the first time this season, the Broncos’ veteran middle linebacker turned in a career performance with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. And when the Broncos needed it the most, with the 49ers driving with less than four minutes to go, he got to San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo one last time, forcing a rushed throw into double coverage that was tipped by Kareem Jackson and fell into the hands of Jonas Griffith for an interception.
Corliss Waitman
In a game that featured 17 punts, it should come as no surprise that one of its biggest heroes was a punter. With field position critical as both offenses scuffled, Waitman pinned the 49ers inside their own 20-yard line six times, including a perfectly placed 47-yarder to the SF 2-yard line that set up the Broncos’ safety in the third quarter. All told, Waitman averaged 43.6 net yards on 10 punts, with just five returned for an average of 8.0 yards.
Courtland Sutton
It’s hard to imagine where the Broncos offense would be without the contributions of Sutton. The wide receiver hauled in eight passes for 97 yards against the 49ers, with his last reception — a 19-yarder on a timing route with quarterback Russell Wilson — setting up the Broncos at the 49ers’ 5-yard line on their one, and only, touchdown drive.
Up Next
Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, 2:25 p.m. (Week 4)
Record: 0-3
Week 2 result: Lost 24-22 at Tennessee
Coach: Josh McDaniels (1st year, 0-3; 11-20 career)
About the Raiders: So much for the loaded AFC West. The Raiders are winless three weeks into the season after they were unable to convert a two-point conversion in the waning moments Sunday against the Titans. Derek Carr, who found Mack Hollins for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal the play before, saw his pass to Darren Waller broken up in the end zone, dashing a bid to rally from down 11 entering the fourth quarter. Carr has struggled early on in the season with four interceptions in three games, including one Sunday. And the connection with new addition Davante Adams has been inconsistent at best, with Adams catching only half of the balls thrown his way (17 of 34).
