Thursday Night’s biggest NFL preseason football game isn’t televised as the Denver Broncos take on the defending NFC champs, the San Francisco 49ers, in what could be a preview of the next Super Bowl. Peyton Manning’s new target Wes Welker, a former favorite of Tom Brady, will be the focus of tonight’s game, as will the beginning of the sophomore tour for 49ers phenom quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Even though this is only a preseason game, the Broncos can make a big statement by defeating a team that advanced further than they did in last year’s playoffs. Peyton Manning has new target Wes Welker to aim for down the field and in the slot. The taste of last year’s close playoff exit should still be fresh in the mind of Manning and his teammates.
It should be a fun night for the running back tandem of Ronnie Hillman and rookie Montee Ball. They stand to only benefit from Manning spreading the defense with his uncanny accuracy. As the 49ers shuffle in young talent after the first quarter, the Broncos will likely test out their running game more as the game wears on.
San Francisco came a play or two away from winning the Super Bowl this past February behind the incredible play of then-rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The mobile and hard throwing quarterback will set out in his second season – first preseason as the starter – with a Super Bowl trophy or bust mentality. The bar has been set high and all the pressure in the football world rests upon Kaepernick’s shoulders to exceed last season’s memorable run.
The other big 49ers story right now is the signing of veteran cornerback Eric Wright. This move was made after Chris Culliver was lost for the season with an ACL tear last week during practice. Free agent Nnambi Asomugha was signed, but he struggled in his last two seasons with the Eagles. That uncertainty over Asomugha’s effectiveness appears to be rectified with the signing of Wright.
Tonight’s potential NFL Super Bowl preview in the preseason between the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers kicks off the season for both teams at 9/8c. The game will not be televised on any network or cable channel, however you can alternatively watch an online streaming version here via the NFL’s Preseason Live package for $19.99. I like the 49ers in tonight’s game and expect them to play to the home crowd with a decisive 27-10 win.
