49ers vs. Broncos odds, prediction, betting tips for NFL Week 3 ‘Sunday Night Football’

When the 49ers travel to take on the Broncos in Denver for the penultimate game of the Week 3 NFL season on “Sunday Night Football”, it will be a interconference game that feels a little like an old NFC West game.

San Francisco will be back starting Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback this season after losing Trey Lance (ankle). Meanwhile, Denver counters with someone familiar with the opponent in former Seattle star Russell Wilson.

Wilson is 16-4 in 20 career games against the 49ers. But it’s notable that the 49ers were only an NFC playoff power early and late in that decade with the Seahawks.

Will Wilson continue to the trend to push his team to 2-1, or will the 49ers move to that mark with a two-game winning streak instead?

Here’s everything to know about betting on 49ers vs. Broncos in Week 3, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for “Sunday Night Football.”

49ers vs. Broncos odds for Sunday Night Football

• Spread: 49ers by 1.5
• Over/under: 45
• Moneyine: 49ers -125, Broncos +!05

Since the 49ers beat the Seahawks handily at home while the Broncos escaped the Texans at home in Week 2 after losing to the Seahawks, it was a no-brainer that San Francisco would be mild road favorites in Denver.

(betting odds per Caesars Sportsbook)

49ers vs. Broncos all-time series

The teams have met only 15 times total with the 49ers holding a 8-7 advantage. The 49ers won the last meeting in 2018 and three of four going back to ’06. Most notably, Joe Montana’s 49ers routed John Elway’s Broncos 55-10 in Super Bowl 24.

Three trends to know

—64 percent of spread bettors are siding with the favored 49ers to take care of their small number with a straight-up win.

—64 percent of total bettors think the defenses will have a big impact and are taking the under.

—The 49ers were 13-7 against the spread last season and have started 1-1. The Broncos were 8-8 ATS last season and have started 0-2.

Three things to watch

The Broncos’ run defense vs. the 49ers’ running committee

The numbers will say that Denver is No. 5, giving up on average 78.5 rushing yards per game. But it also has allowed 4.2 yards per carry, which is more middle of the pack. There’s no doubt San Francisco will stick with the run with Jeff Wilson Jr. and undrafted rookie Jordan Mason to play to its strength and take pressure off Garoppolo.

George Kittle vs. the Broncos’ defense?

Kittle (groin) has missed the first two games but has a good chance to return and suit up for much-anticipated season debut. Denver struggled to cover Seattle’s tight ends downfield in Week 1 and both Kittle and backup Ross Dwelley pose that kind of threat at times. Kittle could be huge helping out his good friend Garoppolo and opening things up for the wide receivers, not to mention his elite run blocking support.

The Broncos’ two bad shoulders

The Broncos have two key shoulder injuries coming into the game, one to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and the other to cornerback Pat Surtain II. That’s a big development for a struggling passing offense and a pass defense trying to stop Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Stats that matter

67.5 and 2.6. That’s how many rushing yards on average per game plus rushing yards on average per carry the 49ers have given up in two games. That’s not great news for Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon as the Broncos don’t want to be as reliant on Wilson.

49ers vs. Broncos prediction

The 49ers’ offense will reset with Garoppolo and Kittle doing what it does best: Run effectively and set up a dynamic passing game playing off of that. The Broncos’ defense will be contained up front and will be hurt by no Justin Simmons and maybe Surtain on the back end. Wilson stays cold against a very tough defense.

49ers 26, Broncos 20