49ers Ovecome Denver’s Stellar Defense, Improve to 4-0

It was a slower offensive night for the San Francisco 49ers, but their defense kept them in it for an eventual Week 4 win over Denver to remain undefeated.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Oct 4, 2026, 4:59 PM Updated: 5:02 pm

Follow on Google News

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the b...

Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball for a first down in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers remained undefeated, but Week 4 was a different story than they’d been used to early in the 2026 season. Against a stellar Denver Broncos defense, the 49ers offense struggled to start, while their defense kept them in it.

Coming into the night, the 49ers offense against Denver’s defense was the highlight, and it proved nearly even on that end, but San Francisco’s defense kept them in it before they finally managed to get in the end zone in the second half. They did so twice, with a Kittle recording an explosive play with extensive yards after catch to secure a win and remain undefeated through four weeks.

Brock Purdy finished 19/30 for 218 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Evans led their receivers with five catches for 76 yards, while Kittle totaled four receptions for 70 yards and the game-sealing touchdown.

Samuel added 44 rushing yards and 26 receiving yards, including a receiving TD. McCaffrey also finished with 70 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 52 yards and a touchdown and adding 18 through the air.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos Game Notes

The 49ers’ offense struggled to find a rhythm early, with their first three possessions ending in a punt, a turnover on downs, and a three-and-out. San Francisco leaned on the ground game more than usual during that stretch, recording 11 rushes against five pass attempts.

Deebo Samuel provided some of the early life, fighting through tackles and taking a handoff 22 yards into Denver territory. Samuel was effective being used in the run game, but the 49ers couldn’t finish the possession. Head coach Kyle Shanahan elected a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 from the Broncos’ 34-yard line, but Purdy couldn’t cross the line.

Denver’s offense had trouble finishing drives, largely relying on short passes and yards after the catch. The Broncos converted three third downs on their opening scoring possession, but San Francisco held them to a 52-yard field goal from Will Lutz and a 3-0 lead.

Despite offensive shortcomings against a top-tier defense, the 49ers’ defense kept them in the battle. Safety Malik Mustapha delivered a huge diving deflection on a third-down pass intended for Evan Engram, forcing another punt and giving the offense another chance to score.

Mustapha breaks it up 🙅‍♂️📺 CBS https://t.co/nMlTBcldjy— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 4, 2026

Purdy opened the following drive with an 18-yard completion to Mike Evans, his first catch of the afternoon. Playing through a rib injury, Evans appeared to be in pain and got more possessions off than usual. Still, he gave the passing game a needed spark, while McCaffrey helped move the chains and Samuel tallied his second 20-yard rush.

An absolute dart from Brock Purdy to Mike Evans 😮‍💨 https://t.co/XJ4BYCDnov

— Christian (@ChristianR_Vill) October 4, 2026

San Francisco reached Denver’s 6-yard line, but Purdy couldn’t connect with Evans on third-and-5. Eddy Pineiro’s 24-yard field goal finished a 12-play, 74-yard drive and tied the game with 1:36 left in the half.

Their defense gave the Niners one more opportunity, taking over at their own 18 with 47 seconds remaining. Another Evans reception helped them reach field-goal range, but Zach Allen blocked Pineiro’s 54-yard attempt to keep the scoreboard tied at 3-3.

Denver also lost Pat Surtain II to an injury during that final possession, as the star defensive back needed assistance leaving the field after a non-contact injury.

At halftime, the 49ers had plenty of their legendary alumni on the field to present Roger Craig with his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence, including a speech from Jerry Rice, where he called Craig “the greatest of all time.”

Two more three-and-outs followed halftime before Siran Neal delivered the play that changed the tide in San Francisco’s favor. Neal made a solo tackle on Marvin Mims Jr., forced a fumble, and recovered it himself, giving the 49ers the ball at Denver’s 28-yard line. It was a close call, but the ball came loose as Mims Jr.’s wrist hit the ground before his entire forearm made contact with the grass.

Big break for the 49ers! Special play on special teams 😤

DENvsSF on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/Kfb879a0ke

— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026

It still took nine plays to cover those final 28 yards, but San Francisco capitalized on the field position and found the end zone for the first time. Purdy connected with Samuel for a 1-yard touchdown, and Pineiro’s extra point gave the Niners a 10-3 lead.

Denver worked its way into scoring range, but the 49ers defense once again kept the Broncos out of the end zone. Facing fourth-and-2, Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton elected for a 40-yard field goal. Lutz converted, cutting the lead to 10-6 early in the final quarter.

Purdy opened the next possession by dodging pressure (as he’s done all season) before finding fullback Kyle Juszczyk for 16 yards. Taking a bit hit on the play, Juszczyk injured his knee and was later ruled out. Upton Stout also left with a shoulder injury and was questionable to return.

The offense kept moving behind Samuel, Evans and McCaffrey, with Kaelon Black adding a 3-yard run to convert third-and-1. McCaffrey finished the nine-play, 74-yard possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, pushing San Francisco’s lead to 17-6.

Play action pass to Mike Evans nearly leads to 6

DENvsSF on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/Oed7in8alU

— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026

Denver didn’t go down easy, responding not long after. Nix found Jaylen Waddle for a 13-yard touchdown, followed by Tyler Badie running in the two-point conversion to make it a three-point game. The Broncos had covered 70 yards in eight plays, putting pressure on San Francisco’s offense to respond again.

A big play from Kittle was more than enough. Purdy found the tight end on a short pass, and he made plays after the catch, reaching over 20 miles per hour as he raced to the end zone for a 56-yard touchdown. San Francisco needed just five plays and 1:50 to answer Denver’s score and stretch the lead to 24-14.

GEORGE. KITTLE.

DENvsSF on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/fynYAzwRMn

— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026

The Broncos’ final possession ended with Lutz missing a 58-yard field goal wide right, allowing San Francisco to kneel out the clock and remain undefeated through four games.

Purdy finished 19-of-30 for 218 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Evans led the receivers with five catches for 76 yards, while Kittle totaled four receptions for 70 yards and the decisive touchdown. Samuel contributed 44 rushing yards and 26 receiving yards, including a score.

McCaffrey also finished with 70 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 52 yards and a touchdown and adding 18 through the air.