49ers Move to 4-0 After Grinding Out 24-14 Victory Over Denver

The San Francisco 49ers overcame a slow, grinding start, mounting injuries on defense, and special teams miscues to secure a tough 24-14 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. With the win, San Francisco moves to 4-0 on the 2026 season, maintaining its place atop the NFC West.

Despite a star-studded offensive performance down the stretch, the headlines again center on San Francisco’s sheer resilience as defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ unit continues to navigate heavy attrition.

The afternoon began awkwardly for the 49ers, who were forced to burn an early timeout in the opening minute due to a personnel mix-up on a third-and-long. However, the stoppage paid off immediately, as the defense rallied to force a Denver three-and-out.

San Francisco’s opening drive started pinned deep at its own 5-yard line before stalling at the 36. Denver drew first blood when Wil Lutz drilled a 52-yard field goal. San Francisco answered with a fourth-and-short gamble deep in Denver territory, but the conversion attempt failed.

With linebackers Dre Greenlaw playing against his former team and Fred Warner anchoring a front seven decimated by injuries, the defense kept the game within reach. Deebo Samuel served as the spark plug for the offense throughout the first half, making crucial plays.

Kicker Eddy Pineiro drew the 49ers even with a 24-yard field goal with 1:36 left in the half. After the defense forced a quick Denver punt, Brock Purdy moved the offense into field goal range with 41 seconds and two timeouts left. However, Pineiro’s 54-yard attempt was blocked as time expired, sending the teams into the locker room deadlocked in a defensive battle.

San Francisco received to start the second half and went three-and-out on its opening possession. Safety Marques Sigle briefly exited with an injury, bringing in backup Malik Mustafa, though Sigle returned later in the quarter.

The turning point came when San Francisco's special teams unit forced and recovered a crucial Denver fumble in plus territory. On the ensuing drive, the 49ers faced a fourth-down attempt that nearly collapsed after a bad snap, but Kalon Black made a clutch play to secure the first down.

Moments later, Purdy connected with Samuel for a touchdown pass with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter, giving San Francisco its first lead at 10-3. Playing against the franchise where his father, Ed McCaffrey, built a legacy, Christian McCaffrey helped establish the rhythm in the second half.

Denver closed the gap to 10-6 early in the fourth quarter with a 40-yard field goal.

The fourth quarter brought high drama on both sides. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk absorbed a brutal hit to the knee with 8:45 remaining, but the 49ers put together their most complete drive of the game, capped by a physical touchdown run by McCaffrey to extend the lead to 17-6.

Shortly after nickel corner Upton Stout left the game with a shoulder injury, the Broncos mounted an aggressive rushing drive, punching in a touchdown and converting a two-point attempt with under four minutes left to slice the deficit to 17-14.

With Denver threatening a comeback, the 49ers' offensive line, which has remarkably not surrendered a single sack through four games this season, opened a massive lane. George Kittle caught the ball on a short route after he picked up a block and broke free down the field for a 56-yard touchdown run. Pineiro added the extra point to push the lead to 24-14 with 2:15 remaining.

Sigle departed for the locker room late, pressing Mustafa back into secondary action. Denver’s final desperation push ended when Lutz missed a 58-yard field goal wide right, allowing San Francisco to kneel out the clock.

San Francisco will now turn its attention to Week 5 as they look to preserve their undefeated record @ Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks while getting healthy across the roster.