Week 17 Game Recap: San Francisco 49ers 26, Denver Broncos 23

What you need to know

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers played solidly in all facets of the closely fought game and came away with the victory in overtime. San Francisco’s game plan featured runs by Frank Gore, and an equal number of passing attempts, most of which were of the short to intermediate variety. They took advantage of a strong effort by their defense to come away with scores, including an interception return for a touchdown. The 49ers had just one red zone possession, and settled for a field goal after running Gore twice and Alex Smith overthrowing Taylor Jacobs in the end zone.

San Francisco’s rushing attack was handled very well by Gore. He was the only running back with carries, and he ran with as much power at the end of the game as he did at the beginning. Gore finished several of his runs by delivering hits on defenders, and at other times carried would be tacklers with him for extra yards. In addition to displaying strength and power, Gore showed an ability to make defenders miss. At several times he got by the first wave of defenders, but Denver’s speedy linebackers and secondary would get to him before he could break completely free. He still averaged 4.93 yards per carry despite being the focal point of the 49ers’ offense.

San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith overcame some inconsistencies to ultimately manage the game well enough to get the victory. Smith was under pressure throughout the game by an aggressive Denver pass rush, and as a result he rushed some throws, which led to him missing open receivers several times. At other times, Smith was able to use his mobility effectively, buying extra time to connect with receivers, even running out on a reverse and getting in the way of a Broncos’ defender long enough for the runner to gain a first down. Most of Smith’s completions were short to intermediate passes, and he benefited from good running after receptions by some of his receivers. He seemed most comfortable throwing to Arnaz Battle and Taylor Jacobs, who he targeted three times in the end zone, although all of those attempts were incomplete.

San Francisco’s defense played aggressively, and forced three turnovers, returning one of them for a touchdown. Although the Broncos were able to move the ball at times, the 49ers’ defense held the Broncos offense to one touchdown, which was the score that sent the game into overtime.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos’ endured a scare early in the game when Jay Cutler left during the first series of the second quarter after being sacked. Jake Plummer relieved him for the remainder of the half, and Cutler was able to return for the second half and overtime. Cutler connected on four of his first five passes before leaving the game, and was erratic when he returned, but settled down by the fourth quarter. Denver was unable to establish a dominant ground game, and did not get into a consistent rhythm in their passing game. This contributed to their ineffectiveness in the red zone. The Broncos had four trips inside the red zone, and came away with three field goals before scoring a touchdown late in the game to send the game into overtime. Of the 13 plays Denver ran inside the red zone, seven were running plays and six were passing plays. Mike Bell had five of the running plays, including all of the ones inside five yards. Rod Smith and tight end Tony Scheffler received a combined five of the six targets in the red zone.

The Broncos ran the ball with moderate success. Although Mike Bell and Tatum Bell ended with good per carry averages of 6.0 and 4.0 respectively, they did not dominate the 49ers’ defenders. Mike Bell had a run of 46 yards, and averaged 2.0 yards per carry on his other rushing attempts. Tatum Bell lost a fumble early in the second half, and was replaced for the remainder of the game by Mike Bell, except for a couple of plays in overtime when he came in to spell him. Mike Bell was the featured back on all of the goal to go plays, and although he did not score, had several carries close to the goal line.

Jay Cutler started well, completing four of his first five passes for 61 yards before being removed from the game after a jarring hit he took while being sacked. When he returned Cutler was inaccurate initially. Although he settled down somewhat, Cutler was inconsistent, and missed receivers several times, including Rod Smith and Scheffler in the end zone, although he connected with Scheffler on a touchdown pass later. Cutler was victimized by some dropped passes, but ultimately did not take advantage of several red zone opportunities and settled for field goals. While Cutler was out with his injury, Plummer relieved him, but was ineffective, not completing any passes except one for an interception.

The Broncos’ defense was very aggressive, and although Gore amassed 153 rushing yards against them, they prevented him from breaking several runs that were close to being very big gains. They kept the pressure on Smith, and forced him to scramble and hurry his throws on most of his passing attempts. Ultimately, however, their inability to stop the running game was a factor in the outcome of the game.

What you ought to know

QB Alex Smith, Pass: 17 - 32 - 194 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 8 - 0

Smith did not get into a comfort zone, but he showed moxie by overcoming an aggressive pass defense to use his mobility to make enough plays in the passing game to sustain drives. Smith mostly relied on shorter passes, and was accurate on those passes, but encountered problems when he attempted longer passes. He did a solid job of managing the game for the offense, and ensured he did not lose the game for his team.

RB Frank Gore, Rush: 31 - 153 - 0, Rec: 2 - 32 - 0 (5 targets)

Gore had an excellent game rushing the football, but although he had decent numbers receiving, was sub par in that area. He dropped two passes, one of which went off his hands, was caught by a Denver defender and returned for a touchdown. Apart from those two gaffes, Gore was superior running the ball, and kept gaining positive yardage despite the Broncos’ efforts to stop him. He ran with excellent power, and showed some elusiveness in making the first defenders to try to tackle him miss.

RB Moran Norris, Rush: 2 - 8 - 0, Rec: 1 - 32 - 1 (1 targets)

Norris made the most of his lone opportunity in the passing game, turning a short pass into a 32 yard run for a touchdown.

RB Michael Robinson, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rec: 2 - 19 - 0 (2 targets)

Robinson caught both of the passes thrown to him, and saw limited action as the third down back.

WR Arnaz Battle, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 4 - 56 - 0 (5 targets)

Battle showed sure hands when the ball was thrown to him. The only pass thrown to him that he did not catch was overthrown. He ran good routes and was able to get open when he was the targeted receiver.

WR Bryan Gilmore, Rush: 1 - 20 - 0, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (5 targets)

Gilmore had a quiet day, although three of his targets came in overtime. Three of his five targets were either overthrown or under thrown, and it appeared as though he and Smith were not on the same page often.

WR Taylor Jacobs, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (6 targets)

Although Jacobs’ numbers were pedestrian, he was targeted three times in the end zone, albeit unsuccessfully.

TE Vernon Davis, Rush: 1 - -4 - 0, Rec: 3 - 16 - 0 (4 targets)

Davis was used mostly as a blocker and on short passing routes. He was knocked out of the game early in the third quarter but returned shortly afterwards.

TE Eric Johnson, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (2 targets)

Johnson was also used mostly as a blocker and an outlet receiver on short passing routes.

PK Joe Nedney 4 - 4 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 14 points

Nedney culminated a perfect game with his game winning 36 yard field goal. In all he made four field goals and two extra point attempts. His other field goals were from 29 yards and two from 46 yards.

SF Rush Defense

San Francisco’s rush defense was stout. Although they gave up a run to Mike Bell of 46 yards that ended at the one yard line thanks to tremendous hustle by one of the 49ers’ linebackers, they distinguished themselves with a goal line stand that prevented the Broncos from scoring a touchdown. Apart from that run by Mike Bell, the 49ers held the Broncos’ running game in check, and to just 23 rushing attempts by their running backs in a game that went into overtime.

SF Pass Defense

San Francisco’s pass defense was aggressive, and pressured the Broncos’ quarterbacks constantly, recording three sacks and two interceptions. They blitzed very effectively, and their secondary overcame penalties early on to play solidly, contributing by returning an interception for a touchdown.

QB Jay Cutler, Pass: 21 - 32 - 230 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - -1 - 0

Cutler could not capitalize on his red zone opportunities and settled for field goals, which contributed to the Broncos’ loss. He started sharply, and overcame an erratic return after being knocked out of the game, to lead the team to the touchdown that sent the game into overtime. When given time, Cutler showed to be capable of making all the necessary throws. However, he was under duress from an aggressive pass rush, and missed open receivers several times, in part due to the pass rush and also to his attempts to aggressively make plays.

QB Jake Plummer, Pass: 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 2 - 0

Plummer’s relief effort was ineffective. He missed receivers and threw an interception in the limited time he was in the game. He had a goal line opportunity from the three yard line, but was sacked, threw an incompletion, then scrambled for a couple of yards, and had to settle for a field goal.

RB Tatum Bell, Rush: 12 - 48 - 0, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (3 targets)

Bell did not play much after fumbling early in the second half. He ran hard but did not break any long runs. Prior to his fumble, he was splitting playing time with Mike Bell.

RB Mike Bell, Rush: 11 - 66 - 0, Rec: 3 - 34 - 0 (4 targets)

Mike Bell had a decent overall game. He showed explosiveness on a long running play and a short pass that he turned into a long gain, and was in the game when Denver had goal line opportunities. Four of his carries came in the overtime period, and he ran just as hard then as he did early in the game.

WR Rod Smith, Rec: 5 - 59 - 0 (9 targets)

Smith saw seven of his nine targets in the second half and overtime. The targets that were not caught were as a result of overthrown or under thrown passes, including one on the end zone. Smith was able to get open on short to intermediate routes, and was not asked to go deep.

WR Javon Walker, Rec: 4 - 25 - 0 (7 targets)

Walker’s receptions were on shorter routes, but he was targeted deep a couple of times, but the balls thrown were not catchable. As such, he had a modest game in terms of his impact.

WR Brandon Marshall, Rec: 2 - 20 - 0 (6 targets)

Marshall was targeted in the second half and overtime, with three of them in overtime. One of his receptions was called back due to a penalty on the offensive line, and he dropped a pass in overtime that would have resulted in a first down. He was thrown to mostly on intermediate routes, and showed an ability to get open running those routes.

WR David Kircus, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets)

Kircus caught the only pass thrown to him, and spent most of the game on special teams.

TE Tony Scheffler, Rec: 3 - 54 - 1 (5 targets)

Scheffler had a solid game, and showed a good ability to run various routes and get open. He was the primary target on his touchdown catch, and seemed to have a good rapport with Cutler.

TE Stephen Alexander (1 targets)

Alexander was the intended target on the play where San Francisco intercepted the pass for a touchdown. Apart from that play, his involvement was as a blocker.

PK Jason Elam 3 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 11 points

Elam also had a perfect kicking game, connecting on both of his extra point attempts and three field goal attempts, which were from 21 yards and twice from 22 yards.

DEN Rush Defense

Denver found it difficult to contain Frank Gore, and although they prevented some runs from becoming big gains, they could not stop him enough times. Denver’s defenders did not stop him at the line of scrimmage very often, and usually ended up tackling him after he had broken through their defensive line.

DEN Pass Defense

Denver’s pass defense was aggressive and applied pressure to Alex Smith constantly. They amassed five and a half sacks, and hurried his throws numerous times, including a pass they intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Denver’s secondary did an admirable job of preventing San Francisco’s receivers from getting open consistently for long passes, as the Broncos blitzed Smith many times throughout the game, leaving the secondary to fend for themselves.