49ers vs. Broncos final score, results: Broncos hang on to win nail-biter in ‘Sunday Night Football’

By | September 25, 2022
0 Comment

It was ugly. It was grimy. But for the Denver Broncos, it was a win.

The Broncos somehow beat the San Francisco 49ers 11-10 behind some late-game heroics from Russell Wilson. In a game where the Broncos had eight three-and-outs, including four series where the offense couldn’t pick up more than a yard, the defense continually held Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers in check.

Ultimately, it held on just long enough. A self-inflicted Garoppolo safety in the third quarter made it 7-5 49ers, and with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter Wilson was finally able to engineer a 12-play 80-yard drive that took just over six minutes off the clock. The drive featured a signature Wilson dart to Kendall Hinton and a clutch scramble on third down to keep it alive.

When the 49ers got the ball back, a Garoppolo interception forced the Niners defense to make another stop. After successfully doing so, the offense fumbled the ball away to give the Broncos the lead for good.

MORE: 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo steps out of end zone for safety, Dan Orlovsky rejoices

The box score is, appropriately, brutal. Garoppolo completed 18 of 29 passes for 211 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, but the play on the field reflected even worse. Wilson was 20 of 33 for 184 yards, but ultimately it just took a little bit of magic to bring the Broncos over.

This game is likely going to leave both teams with more questions than answers, but the Broncos at least got some of the late-game heroics they signed Wilson for. The 49ers, meanwhile, will wait for news on Trent Williams, who exited the game on Garoppolo’s safety and did not return. If Williams misses significant time, it would deal a devastating blow to that offensive line, which looked miserable without him in the second half.

49ers vs. Broncos score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
49ers 7 0 0 0 10
Broncos 0 3 2 6 11

49ers vs. Broncos updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’

(All times Eastern)

11:29 p.m. — 49ers took their last timeout but it won’t matter. Two more kneeldowns and the Broncos go home with a win. FINAL SCORE: Broncos 11, 49ers 10

11:27 p.m. — Garoppolo takes a 12-yard sack to open the drive. On the next play, Fred Wilson takes a flip from Garoppolo but fumbles near the first down marker and the Broncos recover! Denver will hold on to win this game somehow.

11:25 p.m. — HUGE break for San Francisco as the punt is muffed by they get the ball back. It’ll be business as usual here.

11:23 p.m. — Broncos go ultra-conversative and go three-and-out while taking 15 seconds off the clock, but the 49ers will have just one timeout. With how the 49ers offense has moved the ball, betting on the Denver defense seems like a good bet here.

11:20 p.m. — The Broncos defense makes ANOTHER big play as a ball intended for Samuel pops into the air and gets picked off by Jonas Griffith. It’ll be Broncos ball at the 42-yard line. 2:06 on the clock, three Niners timeouts left.

11:18 p.m. — The incomplete chant is ringing a little louder with the Broncos in the lead, but the 49ers convert their first third down of the night at a perfect time. With three minutes left the Niners keep the drive alive.

11:13 p.m. — Two runs to Melvin Gordon and the Broncos punch it in for the touchdown! Denver takes its first lead of the night behind a really good drive from Wilson. They fail the two-point conversion. Broncos 11, 49ers 10

11:11 p.m. — Wilson is starting to make plays again. On third down he once again scrambles for a first down, and then he hits Sutton’s back shoulder to make it first-and-goal for the Broncos from the 5-yard line. This drive is excellent for the Broncos.

11:09 p.m. — Wilson makes a bit of magic happen once again. After stepping out of a sack and throwing a ball away, he scrambles again and throws a dart to Kendall Hinton for 27 yards.

11:07 p.m. — Broncos get a first down.

11:03 p.m. — The drive stalls after that, perhaps unsurprisingly. 49ers punt it through the end zone, and the Broncos will start outside of their own 10 for a change.

10:59 p.m. — The fullback makes the play of the night! Kyle Juszczyk makes a toe-tapping catch on the sideline for the 49ers for 24 yards on a pretty throw from Garoppolo.

10:57 p.m. — Well, never mind. Denver loses the challenge and will punt on fourth-and-inches. It is now eight three-and-outs today, and the 49ers will start from their own 10-yard line.

10:53 p.m. — Wilson takes a shot down the seam to Jeudy but Ward barely gets a finger on the ball to break it up. On third-and-7 Wilson extends and comes up inches shy, but it looked like it should have been a first down. Denver will challenge the call and this should be overturned.

10:52 p.m. — After that, the 49ers hit a 50-yard field goal to double the Broncos’ score… At 10-5. There is 14:10 left.

10:50 p.m. — Garoppolo just got absolutely ROCKED on a deep pass attempt and on third-and-10 49ers come up just shy of a first down.

10:46 p.m. — 49ers let the clock run out on the third quarter, and they’ll get the ball back near midfield at the other side of the break. One (self-inflicted) safety was all of the scoring that quarter.

10:44 p.m. — Seven three and outs for the Broncos.

There’s nothing to say.

10:41 p.m. — After the punt the Broncos will start from inside their own 10 yet again.

10:40 p.m. — Williams’ absence is immediately felt as Randy Gregory picks up a sack on Garoppolo to set up third-and-18. After an incompletion over the middle the 49ers will have to punt from just inside midfield yet again.

10:38 p.m. — 49ers immediately capitalize, as Jeff Wilson breaks off another big run on the outside zone for a first down. Big gain for a 49ers team that has stagnated since the first quarter.

10:36 p.m. — Again on third down Wilson just misses Jerry Jeudy on the outside. Brandon McManus misses a 53-yarder wide left, and the 49ers will maintain their 7-5 lead after a long drive.

10:32 p.m. — The 49ers brought heat and nearly got to Wilson, but a hold will overwrite the incompletion and give the Broncos first down. First-and-10 Broncos as Jeudy was held over the middle.

10:31 p.m. — Broncos are putting some emphasis on the ground game now, and they’re over midfield once again. This is shaping up to be a potentially big drive.

10:29 p.m. — After the free kick, the Broncos convert a third-and-3 to Courtland Sutton, who has been a go-to target for Russ. Broncos may be in business.

10:26 p.m. — Not ideal.

10:25 p.m. — Trent Williams is also unfortunately shaken up on the play.

10:21 p.m. — After getting pinned at the 1-yard line, the 49ers give up a safety to the Denver defense, who are coming out huge this half! Garoppolo follows in Dan Orlovsky’s footsteps and it’ll be 49ers 7, Broncos 5

10:17 p.m. — It’s no easier for the Broncos here, after they fall into second-and-16 followed by a swing pass to Williams that will have them in third-and-18. Denver goes three-and-out yet again after the turnover.

10:15 p.m. — The Broncos defense makes the first big defensive play of the night! After Garoppolo fumbles the snap, Denver somehow falls on the ball at the bottom of the pile. It’ll be Denver ball near midfield.

10:11 p.m. — Coming out of the half, the field flips a bit as the Broncos are forced to punt shortly after receiving the opening kickoff. The 49ers will get the ball with good field position as they look to extend their lead.

9:55 p.m. — It’s a quiet first half scoring-wise, as both teams combine for just 10 points. The 49ers had one outstanding drive in which they drove 75 yards in under four minutes, but otherwise it’s been slow going. Javonte Williams looks like he could break one eventually, and Jeff Wilson Jr. already has.

Jimmy Garoppolo completed 11 of 17 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, and Russell Wilson was 10 of 16 for 106. For Garoppolo, timing has been key, whereas we’ve seen some glimpses of Wilson’s improve brilliance. Special teams looks like it might end up being the difference in this one.

9:53 p.m. — On third down the 49ers give it to Samuel and that’s going to take us to the half. After a quiet first half, it’s 49ers 7, Broncos 3

9:52 p.m. — The 49ers aren’t gettin a lot to work with coming out of the punt, and they’re faced with third-and-8. The Broncos, however, are forced to use their last timeout with Baron Browning down.

9:46 p.m. — 49ers take a timeout as the Broncos get down to the 50 on third-and-23. They’ll punt the ball away on fourth-and-11.

9:46 p.m. — The Broncos now get called for a hold after Wilson tries to scramble and comes up short. 49ers are trying to help themselves on special teams by accepting it.

9:44 p.m. — The Broncos, despite winning the field position battle, are now also quickly in third down and a false start makes it third-and-13 from their own 47.

9:42 p.m. — Garoppolo misses Jennings on a screen to the outside and the 49ers will punt with 1:43 left. The Broncos have one timeout and they’ll try to go 49 yards.

9:40 p.m. — Garoppolo ran on third-and-4 to pick up a first down, but a hold brings the play back and it will now be third-and-8 from the 4-yard line.

9:36 p.m. — One play takes us to the two-minute warning, as the score remains 7-3 49ers.

9:34 p.m. — On third-and-16, Cris Collinsworth speaks a sack into existence as the 49ers bring the house and collapse the pocket on Wilson. Wilson goes down back at the 49ers’ 43-yard line, and the Broncos punt the ball down to their own 2-yard line.

9:33 p.m. — Wilson’s improv is on full display here. He again looks like he’s going to run or go down and shovels it to Melvin Gordon instead for 22 yards. Outstanding play by the quarterback.

 9:30 p.m. — Wilson does what he does best on a third-and-3, as he climbs the pocket and looks like he might run but darts a throw into Sutton for the first down. Great play. Williams follows up with a 17-yard run and the Broncos are cooking with gas.

9:28 p.m. — Javonte Williams puts in a great effort pick up seven and give the Broncos some space. Wilson immediately converts a first down to Sutton and it’ll be first-and-10 from the 13-yard line.

9:26 p.m. — After a lengthy review, the call stands and the Broncos will get the ball at the 1-yard line. It literally could not be closer than that.

9:23 p.m. — As that play is reviewed, Samuel is back on the bench with no medical staff.

9:21 p.m. — According to Mike Tirico, Samuel walked off the field to the medical tent. Updates will be provided as they come in. 49ers punt and down it at 1-yard line on a spectacular special teams play. The play is going to be looked at to see if the ball hit the end zone line.

9:18 p.m. — The 49ers come up short on third down, but far more pressingly, Samuel stays down and is being tended to. A situation every football fan will be paying attention to.

9:17 p.m. — After a hold makes it first-and-20, Garoppolo finds Kittle over the middle for 11 to the Niners’ 48. On second down, Garoppolo takes a shot for Aiyuk but Surtain had him blanketed on the sideline. Third-and-9 upcoming.

9:15 p.m. — Once again Garoppolo finds Samuel on an option route out of the backfield. The play goes for 32 yards, and the 49ers already have it at their own 47.

9:11 p.m. — McManus hits a 55-yard field goal in the Mile High air to put the Broncos on the board after the Niners declined a third down penalty. 49ers 7, Broncos 3

9:06 p.m. — Less than promising start to the quarter, as Wilson gets sacked from behind to set up second-and-13. Just great coverage downfield from the 49ers. After a second-down completion, Wilson finds Jerry Jeudy on a wheel route down the sideline to get into 49ers territory for the first time tonight.

9:04 p.m. — Broncos finally crack this defense as the quarter ends, as Wilson finds Courtland Sutton for 34 yards. Huge play for the Broncos to get some positive yardage, and they’ll look to capitalize to open the second.

9:01 p.m. — Garoppolo throws another incompletion third-and-3 and misses a surefire touchdown to Samuel. The 49ers are forced to punt again, as the Broncos defense stands pat. It’s been good minus one ugly drive.

9 p.m. — The 49ers once again find Samuel over the middle of the field, and Garoppolo hits him for a first down. That’s three catches for 36 yards from Samuel.

8:56 p.m. — Yet another Denver three-and-out as Jerry Jeudy can’t make a catch with Emmanuel Mosely on him. The Broncos have held the ball for under four of the first 12 minutes.

8:51 p.m. — After that play, the 49ers are unable to move the ball and Garoppolo gets sacked on third-and-9 to force a San Francisco punt. It goes into the end zone, and the Broncos will try to put something together down seven.

8:46 p.m. — Coming off the punt, Garoppolo finds Aiyuk for 16. There’s no denying Garoppolo brings some really tight timing to this offense, and it’s showing early here.

8:45 p.m. — Another Wilson incompletion on third-and-short has some boo birds coming down in Denver. Wilson just missed there, and the Broncos are desperately looking for any kind of rhythm.

8:43 p.m. — Broncos quickly get back into third-and-7 after a short run from Javonte Williams and a Wilson incompletion. The 49ers, however, jump offside and the play is blown dead, so it will be third-and-2.

8:39 p.m. — 49ers score easily at the 1-yard line on a pseudo pick play to get Aiyuk into the end zone. Easy drive there, as the Niners go 75 yards in six plays. 49ers 7, Broncos 0

8:37 p.m. — After a connection with George Kittle, Wilson barrels ahead to the 8-yard line to set up first-and-goal for the 49ers. A swing pass to Samuel gets the 49es to the 3-yard line for second down.

8:35 p.m. — Garoppolo finds Aiyuk over the middle on first down for a first down for the 49ers. On the ensuing play, Jeff Wilson bursts up the middle for 38 yards to get the ball deep into Denver territory. The 49ers are looking to run the ball early and often, and it worked there.

8:32 p.m. — The Broncos quickly go three-and-out as Jerry Jeudy gets stacked up on third-and-9. Nothing particularly inspiring there from Denver.

8:27 p.m. — Garoppolo forces one there trying to get Brandon Aiyuk working against Patrick Surtain. Surtain breaks up the pass and Aiyuk makes a nice play to stay with it and minimize the risk of an interception. A tipped pass at the line on the next play leads to fourth down for the 49ers and they’ll have to punt.

8:25 p.m. — Deebo Samuel gets going early, as he loses the Broncos pre-snap in motion. He gets a gain of 13 to give the Niners a bit of room to work.

8:20 p.m. — The Broncos kick off to the 49ers to start the game and the 49ers will start the game around their own 10. Jimmy Garoppolo takes the field again for San Francisco.

8 p.m. ET — Welcome to the nightcap of what’s been an eventful NFL Sunday! The Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers are both looking to improve upon rocky 1-1 starts, as Russell Wilson goes up against a familiar foe. Kickoff from Denver will be at 8:20 p.m. ET, 6:20 p.m. local time.

What time is the NFL game tonight?

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 25
  • Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET | 6:20 p.m. MT | 5:20 p.m. PT

Sunday’s game is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET, 6:20 p.m. local time. That’s when all “Sunday Night Football” games are scheduled to begin this season.

Mike Tirico will handle the play-by-play call. He’ll be joined by Cris Collinsworth in the booth. Reporter Melissa Stark will offer updates from the sideline.

Source