Game review

OFFENSE

TE George Kittle (210 yards) was amazing, QB Nick Mullens (332 passing yards) was brilliant and RB Jeff Wilson (90 rushing yards) was solid. However, the 49ers managed only two TDs and 20 points, none in the second half, with two turnovers. Tackles Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey did an excellent job against pass rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

DEFENSE

There was nothing “lackadaisical” — the word DT DeForest Buckner had used the previous week — about that performance. The 49ers pitched a first-half shutout in which they allowed just 65 net yards. In the fourth quarter, they had two fourth-down stops as Denver tried to rally. Rookie DBs D.J. Reed (12 tackles, sack) and Marcell Harris (seven tackles) provided production and energy.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Richie James muffed a punt for the second straight game (this one he recovered) and was replaced by Trent Taylor. The Broncos averaged just 13.2 yards on five kickoff returns, thanks in part to forceful tackles from Greg Mabin and James Onwualu, who forced a fumble that Denver recovered. No one noticed new long snapper Colin Holba, which is a good thing.

COACHING

C’mon, Kyle Shanahan, you couldn’t call a second-half screen or a shovel pass to Kittle so he could break Shannon Sharpe’s record? But, seriously, folks — Kittle owes Shanahan for play designs that allowed him to roam free. That defensive performance should take a little heat off coordinator Robert Saleh.

OVERALL

It was a best-case scenario: They won and so did the Raiders, meaning the 49ers are still in line for the No. 1 draft pick next year. It was a needed win against a playoff-contending team after two road blowouts raised questions about the 49ers’ interest in the rest of the season.