The Denver Broncos (2-1) head to Levi’s Stadium on Sunday to face the undefeated San Francisco 49ers (3-0) in one of the Week 4 games. Denver has beaten the Jaguars and Rams the past two weeks after a Week 1 loss at Kansas City, while San Francisco has opened the season with wins over the Rams, Dolphins and Cardinals. The 49ers have been one of the NFL’s most explosive teams through three weeks, averaging 32.7 points per game, while the Broncos have relied on timely defensive plays and fourth-quarter execution.
As mentioned, the Broncos are coming off a dramatic 30-26 win over the Rams on Sunday Night Football. Denver trailed 16-0 at halftime before mounting a furious second-half comeback behind quarterback Bo Nix and a defense led by Discuss the content. Hufanga returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown and later sealed the game with a second interception in the final seconds. Nix threw two touchdown passes and scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run with 47 seconds left as the Broncos erased a double-digit deficit for the second straight week. Meanwhile, San Francisco survived a tougher-than-expected challenge from Arizona, beating the Cardinals 36-30. Central defender Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes, including two for scores George KittleWHEREAS Christian McCaffrey added 116 total yards and a touchdown. The 49-year-olds overcame injuries in Mike Evans AND Trent Williams and held off a late Arizona rally to improve to 3-0.
Quarterback play will be the main focus entering Sunday. Nix has thrown for 605 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in three games while continuing to show an ability to run Sean Payton’s criminal offense. His composure during the comeback win over Los Angeles was one of the biggest reasons Denver escaped with the win. Conversely, Purdy has been one of the NFL’s hottest quarterbacks, throwing for 789 yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception. He’s completed more than 72 percent of his passes, and the 49ers have yet to allow a sack this season. San Francisco’s offense has been nearly unstoppable, thanks to the combination of Purdy, McCaffrey, Kittle and Deebo Samuel.
The bigger story is whether Denver’s defense can slow down that potent 49ers offense that currently ranks among the league’s best in both efficiency and scoring. To do that, the Broncos must create pressure on Purdy, something no opponent has done in three games. Purdy has yet to be sacked this season. Assuming the 49ers can score, another key storyline is whether Nix can keep up the pace. If Denver can turn the game into a defensive battle, it has a chance to pull off the upset. If Purdy continues his MVP-caliber start and the 49ers maintain their offensive momentum, San Francisco will be in a strong position to go 4-0
Let’s dive into the numbers and see if we can’t find an extra sweat or two.
NBC Sports has all the latest information and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kick-off, odds from DraftKings, player news and updatesand of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our expert staff.
Game details and how to watch: Broncos vs. 49ers
- date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
- time: 4:25 PM ET
- YOUR: Levi’s Stadium
- town: Santa Clara, CA
- TV/Broadcasting: CBS
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy player and betting news and analysis throughout the season.
Last chance of the game: Broncos vs. 49ers
The latest odds from Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Money line: Denver Broncos (+124), San Francisco 49ers (-148)
- SPREAD: 49-3
- in total: 47.5
The total opened at 46.5, and the spread is up half a point after San Francisco opened -2.5.
peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports and major global sporting events into a single service.
Rotoworld’s best bets
Broncos vs. 49ers expert picks and predictions
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates predictions around every money line, spread and over/under for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points such as past performance, player matchups, betting trends and weather forecasts.
After the model finishes running, we place its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each bet.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between the 49ers and Broncos:
- Money line: NBC Sports is recommending a 49ers game on Moneyline
- SPREAD: NBC Sports is leaning one game at the 49ers -3.
- in total: NBC Sports is leaning toward a OVER 47.5 total game.
The single most important factor in this game is how unstoppable the 49ers’ offense has been through three weeks. San Francisco is averaging 263.0 passing yards and 136.3 rushing yards per game, and Brock Purdy has been surgical – 789 passing yards, nine touchdowns and one interception with a 133.1 passer rating. The 49ers convert 63% on third down and 90% in the red zone, both best marks in the league, and no other team is above 58% or 89%, respectively.
The numbers during the season from 2025 prove how legitimate this unit is. San Francisco ranked 1st in third down conversion rate (50.72%), 3rd in completion percentage (69.34%), 4th in passing touchdowns (1.94 per game), 7th in passing yards (263.47 per game) and 10th in points scored (25.71 per game). They were fourth in sack rate allowed (4.7%) and 9th in yards per pass attempt (7.52). This is an offense that protects its quarterback and finishes drives. Against a Denver defense that has allowed 431 rushing yards on 5.1 yards per carry this season, the 49ers’ ground game should have a field day.
Main discrepancy: the Broncos’ inability to stop the run versus the 49ers’ success climbing the rock. Denver has allowed 431 rushing yards on 5.1 yards per carry through three games, and San Francisco is running at 5.1 yards per carry itself. This definitely favors the 49ers and Christian McCaffrey. The numbers during the season support the ledger leaning in San Francisco. Denver ranked 2nd in rushing yards allowed (91.06 per game) and 3rd in yards allowed per carry (3.87) last season, but those numbers have faded in 2026. The Broncos also rank 31st in third-down conversion defense (33.76%) and 23rd in fourth-down conversion rate (23rd). in the fourth percentile in exchange in 2026. they struggle to get off the field in situational football. This is the key to Over. San Francisco will hold the drives, convert on third down and end up in the red zone. Against a Denver defense that can’t stop the run and struggles on third down, the 49ers need to score points.
“Bet Finish and Get Paid” on Cowboys vs. Texans
Vaughn Dalzell and Drew Dinsick explain how a tired defensive line for the Cowboys and Texans, along with Houston running back Nico Collins, turns Week 4 at Texas into a “bet ends and pays off” game.
Broncos vs. 49ers: Betting Trends and Stats
- The Broncos are 2-1 against the spread this season
- The 49ers are 2-1 against the spread this season
- Denver is 1-2 in the OVER this season
- San Francisco is 2-1 in OVER this season
Quarterback matchup: Broncos vs. 49ers
- Denver: Bo Nix
2026 Stats: 3GP, 605 Passing Yards, 4 TD, 3 INT, 80.3 RTG, Sacked 5 times - San Francisco: Brock Purdy
2026 Stats: 3GP, 789 Passing Yards, 9 TD, 1 INT, 133.1 RTG, Sacked 0 Times
Broncos vs. 49ers: Best Playmakers
Broncos
- RB JK Dobbins
2026 Stats: 3GP, 35 carries for 121 Yds, 0 TD / 1 catch on 2 targets for 4 Yds, 0 TD - WR Jaylen Waddle
2026 Stats: 3GP, 11 Catches on 20 Targets for 150 Yds, 0 TD / 1 Carry for 14 Yds, 0 TD - WR Pat Bryant
2026 Stats: 3GP, 6 receptions on 9 targets for 86 yds, 1 TD / 1 carry for 16 yds, 0 TD
49 years old
- THE George Kittle
2026 Stats: 3GP, 12 catches on 16 targets for 174 yds, 3 TDs - RB Christian McCaffrey
2026 Stats: 3GP, 35 carries for 166 Yds, 3 TD / 13 receptions on 17 targets for 104 Yds, 0 TD - WR Deebo Samuel Sr.
2026 Stats: 3GP, 9 receptions on 11 targets for 159 yds, 2 TD / 4 carries for 30 yds, 0 TD
Broncos vs. 49ers: Injury update
Broncos
- LB Dondrea Tillman (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
49 years old
- WR Mike Evans (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- Lt. Trent Williams (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- OF Keion White (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- OF Nick Bosa (calf) is listed as OUT for Sunday’s game
- LB Dre Greenlaw (four) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- OF Highness Romello (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- DT James Thompson Jr. (ankle) is listed as OUT for Sunday’s game
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest and tools for the NFL, including game predictions, player stats, futures and trends!
Follow our experts on social media to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
