The 49ers (0-1) travel to Mile High Stadium for a 2:00 PM MT kickoff against the Broncos (0-1) on Sun September 19, 1982.
Joe Montana continues. Steve DeBerg, the former 49er Montana replaced, starts for Denver. Rick Upchurch returns kicks for the Broncos. Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon are the targets. A 0-2 start leaves the 49ers in a deep hole before the labor calendar takes over.[1][2][3]
Steve DeBerg versus Joe Montana, two years after Walsh chose Montana and DeBerg went to Denver. The real matchup is between two teams that opened 0-1 and need an answer.
Montana was efficient in the opener (244 yards, two touchdowns) but the defense fell short late. The Mile High thin air is a real factor in September. The Denver crowd is a legitimate road variable and Upchurch in the return game adds a special-teams dimension that can swing field position.
Week two is the league's first travel week. The NFC's Eagles went 1-0, the Cowboys split, and the conference's West division is in its first sorting round. The Chargers opened at 1-0 in the AFC behind Fouts. The Bengals and Steelers both won. The Broncos and 49ers are two of the NFC/AFC's 0-1 teams looking to avoid a 0-2 hole before the rest of the schedule takes shape.
Through one game the 49ers are 0-1 with a minus 6 differential. Denver went 0-1 as well, losing 7-16 at San Diego. DeBerg went 15 of 26 for 181 in Week 1 with one touchdown. Montana threw 244 in Week 1 with two touchdowns and one interception. Rick Upchurch is the league's best return man. Clark caught six for 106 in the opener. The Broncos' first-round pick Rich Karlis kicks field goals.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1-0 | W1 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1-0 | W1 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1-0 | W1 |
| Houston Oilers | 0-1 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 1-0 | W1 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1-0 | W1 |
| New England Patriots | 1-0 | W1 |
| Baltimore Colts | 0-1 | L1 |
| New York Jets | 0-1 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Raiders | 1-0 | W1 |
| San Diego Chargers | 1-0 | W1 |
| Denver Broncos | 0-1 | L1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0-1 | L1 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 0-1 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 1-0 | W1 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0-1 | L1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0-1 | L1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 0-1 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 1-0 | W1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1-0 | W1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1-0 | W1 |
| Chicago Bears | 0-1 | L1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0-1 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 1-0 | W1 |
| Washington Redskins | 1-0 | W1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 0-1 | L1 |
| New York Giants | 0-1 | L1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0-1 | L1 |
On the call: John Madden, Pat Summerall, Brent Musburger (via classic vintage sports)
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Freddie Solomon 46 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 7-0 |
| Broncos | Rick Upchurch 67 yard punt return (Rich Karlis kick) | 7-7 |
| 49ers | Jeff Moore 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 14-7 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Broncos | Rick Parros 4 yard pass from Steve DeBerg (Rich Karlis kick) | 14-14 |
| 49ers | Dwight Clark 24 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 21-14 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| No scoring this quarter. | ||
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Broncos | Rick Upchurch 37 yard pass from Steve DeBerg (Rich Karlis kick) | 21-21 |
| Broncos | Rich Karlis 18 yard field goal | 21-24 |
Joe Montana threw three touchdowns — 46 yards to Freddie Solomon, a 1-yard rush by Jeff Moore, and 24 yards to Dwight Clark — and the 49ers led 21-14 entering the fourth quarter, but Steve DeBerg threw a 37-yard touchdown to Rick Upchurch and Rich Karlis kicked an 18-yard field goal and the Denver Broncos won 24-21 at Mile High Stadium. Montana finished 26 of 37 for 336 yards. Clark caught 9 for 127. The 49ers fell to 0-2 as the season's opening window closes.[1][2][3]
Joe Montana threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns and the 49ers led 21-14 with the fourth quarter ahead of them, but Rick Upchurch caught a 37-yard touchdown from Steve DeBerg in the fourth and Rich Karlis kicked an 18-yard field goal and the Broncos won 24-21 at Mile High.
The DeBerg subplot delivered its moment: the former 49er's fourth-quarter drive, punctuated by the long touchdown to Upchurch, undid a game Montana had largely controlled. DeBerg went 17 of 26 for 197 yards and two scores. Upchurch was a factor in both phases: a 67-yard punt return touchdown and the late receiving score.
Montana's 336 yards on 37 attempts (9.1 per attempt) was the best passing output of the young 49ers year. Clark's nine catches for 127 and Solomon's four for 109 with the opening 46-yard score gave the 49ers perimeter firepower. The defense stopped the Broncos for three quarters before the DeBerg comeback drive.
0-2 heading into the labor dispute that will cancel the next nine weeks.
Broncos 24, 49ers 21. Margin: minus 3. Record: 0-2.
A 24-21 road loss at Mile High Stadium. The 49ers fall to 0-2 before the NFLPA strike halts the season.
How it unfolded
The 49ers struck first: Solomon caught a 46-yard touchdown from Montana in the first quarter. Jeff Moore's 1-yard rush extended it to 14-7. After a Parros touchdown from DeBerg tied it, Clark caught a 24-yard score to make it 21-14. The game sat there until the fourth quarter. DeBerg connected on a 37-yard touchdown to Upchurch for the tie. Karlis' 18-yard field goal was the winner.
The turning point
Upchurch's 37-yard reception from DeBerg in the fourth quarter. The Broncos' dynamic returner operated as a receiver when it mattered. With the 49ers' defense needing one stop to protect a 21-14 lead, DeBerg found Upchurch over the middle on a post route. The lead never returned.
By the numbers
Montana 26 of 37, 9.1 yards per attempt, two touchdown passes, two interceptions. Clark nine for 127, Solomon four for 109 — the two-receiver combination produced 236 yards combined. The 49ers outgained Denver 413 to 283. The gap was turnovers: Montana's two interceptions led to Denver points.
What it means
0-2 with a work stoppage coming. The 49ers' offense is producing yardage; the defense and turnover margin are the gaps. Whatever the strike delays, this team will return to the field needing to establish an identity the two-game hole has not yet provided.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 20 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 413 | 283 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 26/37 | 17/26 |
| Pass yards | 336 | 197 |
| Pass TD | 2 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 1 |
| Sacks taken | 1 | 3 |
| Sack yards lost | 11 | 14 |
| Net pass yards | 325 | 183 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 31 | 31 |
| Rush yards | 88 | 100 |
| Rush TD | 1 | 0 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 1 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 1 |
| Penalties | 8 | 8 |
| Penalty yards | 106 | 91 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 26/37 | 336 | 2 | 2 | 94 |
| DEN | |||||
| Steve DeBerg | 14/22 | 157 | 2 | 0 | 115.2 |
| Craig Morton | 3/4 | 40 | 0 | 1 | 66.7 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Vince Williams | 16 | 45 | 0 | 8 |
| Jeff Moore | 7 | 33 | 1 | 15 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 8 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bill Ring #39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DEN | ||||
| Sammy Winder | 12 | 38 | 0 | 15 |
| Gerald Willhite | 4 | 21 | 0 | 11 |
| Rick Parros | 9 | 18 | 0 | 5 |
| Dave Preston | 3 | 15 | 0 | 8 |
| Steve DeBerg | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Rob Lytle | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Dwight Clark #87 | 9 | 127 | 1 | 41 |
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 4 | 109 | 1 | 46 |
| Charle Young | 4 | 47 | 0 | 30 |
| Jeff Moore | 4 | 17 | 0 | 10 |
| Bill Ring #39 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| Renaldo Nehemiah #82 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Vince Williams | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Eason Ramson | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
| DEN | ||||
| Rick Upchurch | 5 | 77 | 1 | 37 |
| Riley Odoms | 3 | 28 | 0 | 18 |
| Steve Watson | 2 | 28 | 0 | 15 |
| Gerald Willhite | 1 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| Rick Parros | 3 | 12 | 1 | 6 |
| James Wright | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Sammy Winder | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Dave Preston | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Find or start the canonical thread for this game on r/49ers. The thread title is deterministic so anyone running this Rewatch lands on the same place.
Find the thread Start the threadCanonical title: [Rewatch Party] 1982 W2 - 49ers at Denver Broncos - Game Thread
