Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Denver 24 at San Francisco 14 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Denver Broncos: The big news is that Mike Anderson is definitely challenging Olandis Gary and Clinton Portis. - Anderson finished strong with 10 runs for 95 yards plus a short receiving TD. Gary was 12 for 61 yards and a rushing TD. Both shared carries in the last significant Denver drive with 9:35 left in the 4th quarter. The Bronco running game looked overall looked very good. Though his stats weren't spectacular, Brian Griese looked poised and efficient most of the day. Griese played well under a lot of 49er pressure. Any notion that Shanahan would bench Griese for Beuerlein Sunday pretty much evaporated. They played much of the game without the headset communication devices due to technical troubles but Griese didn't seem rattled. Denver is for real. After beating the Rams and the 49ers in two straight games, it's clear that Denver's defense is playing at championship level. San Francisco 49ers: Though the 49ers were playing against a good Bronco defense, there is a problem brewing that should be examined: Terrell Owens' production will suffer this year unless JJ Stokes or Tai Streets perform. Owens can't do it all himself. Kevan Barlow didn't post big numbers, but he is clearly a very good RB. Barlow has it all: size, speed, moves, and power. Barlow shows flashes that he could become an Ahman Green-like runner. Though the 49ers seem determined to rotate their RB crew, if Barlow continues to play at this level, he will assuredly get more carries and cut into Hearst's time. The 49er defense is improving, but this game reminded us that it's still young and somewhat inexperienced. Denver dominated the 49ers on the ground and finished with 201 yards rushing. 49er tight end Eric Johnson didn't score a TD, but he still finished strong with 7 catches for 69 yards. Johnson may benefit from the 49ers' lack of a good #2 WR. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Denver Broncos QB: Brian Griese looked poised and efficient most of the day. Griese didn't run a lot, but when he did, he was effective. On the TD pass to Mike Anderson, Griese made a Boomer Esiason-perfect play fake that fooled San Francisco LBs. Though Griese's numbers weren't spectacular (14/19, 119 yards), he did throw two TDs with no interceptions. Griese's play was solid against a swarming 49er defense. RBs: The big news is that Mike Anderson will definitely challenge Olandis Gary and Clinton Portis. Anderson finished with 10 runs for 95 yards. Anderson's day was highlighted by a great 32 yard run and a TD reception. Olandis Gary was solid, but not spectacular, and had a good day with 12 rushes for 61 yards and a TD. Both were involved in the last significant Denver drive in the 4th quarter. Clinton Portis did not get much of a chance to impress, and only got four carries. Though Anderson owners may hope that Shanahan has picked Anderson as his starting RB, Portis owners should not give up hope. Portis didn't get enough carries to show his stuff, and certainly Shanahan will want to see more of Portis in the future. In our opinion, it's still a murky situation. Great for Denver, not so good for Fantasy Owners. WRs: Ed McCaffrey had a nice catch and run, but fumbled the ball at the end of the play. He also took a vicious (but clean) shot by CB Mike Rumph that he was slow getting up from. Rod Smith was effective moving the chains and had a couple of key plays to earn first downs. Denver's Smith and McCaffrey were mostly held down and combined for only 5 catches for 33 yards. Scottie Montgomery caught an 11 yard TD pass, but that was an anomaly. Though the Denver WRs didn't post good numbers, that's more of a compliment to the 49ers solid defensive backs. TE: Sharpe was an important role player and caught some important balls for first downs. Sharpe lead all receivers with 5 catches for 52 yards. Pass Defense: While the Denver offense played solid, the Denver defense was the star. Terrell Owens and the rest of the 49er WR were stymied most of the day. Even though Stokes and Streets aren't helping Owens out, Denver's secondary still gets kudos for containing Owens almost all day. Denver Rush Defense: The 49ers' explosive rushing attack only earned 71 yards on the ground. the Denver rush defense played very well and when you control the 49ers' rushing game, you usually beat them. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** San Francisco 49ers QB: Jeff Garcia had a tough day, and he was pressured constantly. Garcia did run effectively at times, but Denver mostly contained his rushing. Garcia did pad his stats with a nice TD run in the fourth quarter. It's clear that Garcia's numbers would be better if Stokes or Streets took command of the #2 WR slot. RBs: Kevan Barlow didn't post big numbers, but looks to be a future star. Barlow has it all: size, speed, moves, and power. Though the 49ers seem determined to rotate their RB crew, if Barlow continues to play at this level, he will assuredly get more carries. Garrison Hearst played well, but Denver kept the 49er RB mostly in check. Hearst did most of his damage in the receiving game and had 6 catches for 30 yards. Fred Beasley didn't see much action, but he looked good catching a ball for a first down. WRs: Credit Denver's defense for keeping this unit in check most of the day. Owens did get a TD, but the 49ers need Stokes or Streets to play better. Until the 49ers get better play from the #2 WR spot, Owens' numbers will be hurt all season from constant double and triple-teaming. Think the 49ers miss Jerry Rice? TE: Eric Johnson played a large role in the passing game, finishing with 7 catches for 69 yards. Since the 49ers don't have a great #2 WR option, Johnson may be used more in the passing game in the future, and that will certainly increase his fantasy stats. Pass Defense: The 49er defensive backs weren't great, but they did keep McCaffrey and Smith from breaking out. Good coverage helped the defensive lineman sack Griese three times. This unit would have fared better had Denver's offensive line not played so well. A good running game made it more difficult on the 49er secondary. Rush Defense: This unit did a poor job, allowing Denver to rush for 201 rushing yards. As a whole, the 49er defense had a lot of penalties and displayed some sloppy discipline that is uncharacteristic of this unit normally.