GAMEDAY Open Thread: Broncos vs. Niners

After an 11-day wait, the Denver Broncos return to action on Monday Night Football to do battle with the San Francisco 49ers.

It's Denver's third preseason game and it's poised to be a juicy matchup for a couple of reasons. One, the Broncos and Niners held two joint-practice sessions ahead of the game this past weekend and suffice to say, the proceedings were replete with fireworks.

The two teams went at it with a few scuffles ensuing. As Emmanuel Sanders said on Saturday, "They won the first day, we won the second day and we got a game on Monday for the championship."

The second reason Monday night's preseason bout will be particularly interesting is because, according to Vic Fangio, the starters are going to see a lot more time than they have up to this point.

That brings us to the open thread. I'll be live-blogging this game right here, while also engaging in our open thread conversation with our great readers and members here at Mile High Huddle.

You can comment and sound off, just create a free account by clicking the + sign in the Mile High Huddle banner at the top of the site. From there, you can dive in and join this SFvsDEN conversation, which is going to be lit.

First quarter

Niners receive to start the game.

Yiadom picks off Jimmy G. on third down.

Flacco converts 3rd-&-6 to Hamilton. 13 yards.

End around to Sanders picks up big yardage.

Broncos O-line getting blown off the ball in the run game.

Flacco throws behind Fant on a 2nd-&-12.

3rd-&-12 Flacco throws inaccurate endzone ball to Hamilton. Incomplete.

McManus pounds through a FG. 3-0 Broncos.

Broncos allow massive return on ensuing kickoff. Niners in business at midfield.

Bausby jumps the route on third down, drops an INT. Niners punt.

Flacco throws beautiful ball to Sutton over the middle on third down to pick up 20-plus yards and move the chains.

Promising drive stalls. Broncos punt.

Wadman pins Niners on their own 11-yard line.

Broncos D smothers Jimmy G. Niners punt.

Cracraft secures return, picks up modest yardage.

Bolles holding penalty negated massive 45-yard Sanders pickup.

Fant takes nasty shot to lower body on third down. Limps off the field with an apparent foot injury. Yikes.

Flacco and co. can find no purchase. Punt.

Second quarter

Niners pull Jimmy G. Beathard in.

Chubb strip-sacks Beathard. Niners recover. Wow.

Niners punt. Nick Williams muffs but recovers.

Lock enters the game. Bobbles snap from under center.

Nice scramble on third down by Lock to pick up the first down.

Lock leads scoring drive on opening possession. But stalls. McManus pounds one through. Broncos up 6-0.

Niners drive on ensuing play, finally get on the board with a FG. Broncos lead 6-3.

Lock leads 11-play, 41-yard drive to end the first half, culminating in McManus connecting from 52 yards out. Broncos head into halftime leading 9-3.

Third quarter

Broncos receive to open third quarter.

Drive ends in a punt.

Drew Lock is being taken back to the locker room to have his right hand examined.

Niners score on ensuing possession on a Mostert 30-yard touchdown scamper.

Niners lead 10-9.

After Broncos' offense stalls, Niners go 67 yards on six plays, after Deebo Samuel goes 45 yards but pushed out on the 1-yard line. Wilson punches it in on ensuing play. Niners lead 17-9.

Fourth quarter

Broncos offense painfully pedantic and simply bad.

Dekoda Watson beats a RB to notch his second sack of the preseason.

Niners punt.

Add us as a preferred source on Google