Denver Broncos' Keys to Victory: Preseason Week 3

Who: Denver Broncos (2-0) vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

What: Preseason Week 3

When: 7 p.m. MDT Saturday, Aug. 29

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High

TV: KTVD (Ch. 20)

Announcers: Ron Zappolo, John Lynch

Radio: KOA (850 AM); The Fox (103.5 FM)

Keys to Victory

• No zero for first-team O. Peyton Manning and the first-team offense – minus newly signed guard Evan Mathis and WR Emmanuel Sanders and his still-sore hammy – are likely to see at least a half of action, and they’ll be looking to put up some points after a four-punts-in-four-possessions outing last week in Houston. Penalties, dropped passes and off-target throws hampered the effort, and Manning and Co. are out to make amends in front of the home folks with this figuring to be their last live-game action until the Sept. 13 season opener against the Ravens. Some better production in short-yardage situations will most definitely help as the Orange and Blue was a combined 1-for-5 last week converting in third- and/or fourth-down situations of 2 or fewer yards to go.
• Welcome back, Danny. 2014 leading tackler Brandon Marshall returned last game and played well with three solo stops and two passes defensed versus the Texans, and this Saturday, fellow inside linebacker and 2013 team tackles leader Danny Trevathan will try to do the same. Trevathan, coming off last season’s recurring leg/knee issues which limited him to three games, is expected to play around 20 snaps.
• More takeaways needed. The Broncos are pacing the league with 12 preseason sacks and are allowing a miniscule 3.6 yards per play, but if they’re going to be a truly elite defense, they’re going to need to force more turnovers. The Denver D pounced on two Seahawks’ fumbles in the exhibition opener, but failed to snare a takeaway from the Texans.
• McManus in spotlight. Brandon McManus has the team’s place-kicking gig all to himself after the Orange and Blue booted Connor Barth this past week, and that only means he’ll be under extra scrutiny at home if and when he lines up for a 40-plus-yard field-goal attempt Saturday evening. He was an ugly 4-of-8 on kicks of 30-plus yards last season, necessitating the Broncos bringing in Barth in the first place. Let’s see how his new-and-improved technique holds up under a little added pressure.

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