Denver triumphs in low-scoring affair

Defense ruled the night as the Denver Broncos bested the San Fransisco 49ers, 10-6.

The lone touchdown on the evening came courtesy of Denver linebacker Shaun Phillips, who recovered D.J. Harper’s second-quarter fumble and returned it 9 yards for the score. San Fransisco’s new kicker Phil Dawson made field goals from 32 and 38 yards for the 49ers only points, while Denver’s Matt Prater’s 46-yard kick with three minutes remaining sealed the deal for the Broncos.

Both starting quarterbacks featured for just one series. Peyton Manning went 2 for 4 and 13 years. Colin Kaepernick completed all four of his passes for 38 yards.

The 49er backups didn’t fare so well. Colt McCoy completed just 3 of 7 for 41 yards and Scott Tolzien added an interception of his own while going 15 of 26 for 158 yards. Neither found the endzone.

Broncos backup Brock Osweiler started off strong. He hit his first six passes, going on to finish 13 of 18 for 105. He too failed to manage a touchdown.

For San Fransisco, LaMichael James and Anthony Dixon split time at runningback, matching each other for 27 yards. On Denver’s side, C.J Anderson saw the bulk of the carries and ran for 69 yards to Knowshon Moreon’s 23.

Denver heads to Seattle next, while San Fransisco will take on the Chiefs in Kansas City.