49ers vs. Denver Broncos

Troy Smith threw a touchdown pass and the 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-16 at Candlestick Park in Smith's first NFL start. Frank Gore ran for 118 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Smith finished 12-of-19 for 196 with a 115.2 rating. Brian Westbrook added a touchdown. Kyle Orton threw for 370 yards and a touchdown but the Broncos managed only a field goal in three red-zone trips. The 49ers improved to 2-6.[1][2][3]

Troy Smith made his first NFL start Sunday afternoon at Candlestick. Frank Gore ran for 118. The 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-16 in the kind of home win where a new quarterback, a re-energized run game, and a defensive performance against Kyle Orton came together for the first time in the season.

Smith was 12-of-19 for 196 with a touchdown and a 115.2 rating. The kind of debut game that turns one start into the next start. Gore went for 118 on 29 carries and a touchdown. Brian Westbrook, the offseason signing who had not produced much through seven games, added a touchdown. The defense, which generated three sacks of Kyle Orton, held the Broncos to one trip into the end zone on three red-zone possessions.

The kind of Sunday at Candlestick where 2-6 looks like a team that might play out the year competently. The St. Louis Rams come to town in Week 10 after the road bye-replacement week 9. The Singletary press conference now has at least one piece of football to point at. 2-6.

49ers 24, Broncos 16. Margin: +8. Eight-game record: 2-6, -41 differential.

* Troy Smith: 12-of-19 for 196, 1 TD, 115.2 rating (first NFL start since 2008).
* Frank Gore: 29 carries for 118, 1 TD.
* Brian Westbrook: 1 TD (rushing).
* 49ers D: 3 sacks of Kyle Orton; held Denver to 1 of 3 in red zone.
* Kyle Orton: 28-of-40 for 370, 1 TD, 1 INT.
* Brandon Lloyd: receiving production but no TD.
* Knowshon Moreno: 11 carries for 40 (DEN).
* 49ers 2-6; Broncos 2-6.

A 24-16 home win over the Denver Broncos in Troy Smith's first NFL start. The 49ers improve to 2-6.

How it unfolded

Joe Nedney kicked a field goal on the opening drive to make it 3-0. The teams traded possessions and Denver added two field goals in the second and third quarters to take a 6-3 lead. The fourth quarter is where the game broke open. A Troy Smith touchdown pass to Delanie Walker made it 10-6. Frank Gore's touchdown run made it 17-6. The Broncos answered with a Brandon Lloyd touchdown to make it 17-13. Brian Westbrook scored on a 7-yard run to push the lead to 24-13. Denver added a late field goal to make it 24-16.

The turning point

Troy Smith's first touchdown pass. With the 49ers down 6-3 in the fourth quarter, the rookie start's first TD throw, to tight end Delanie Walker, was the kind of in-rhythm play that authenticated the start.

By the numbers

Smith 196 passing on 19 attempts with a TD. Gore 118 rushing on 29 carries with a TD. Westbrook the rushing TD. Walker 5 catches for 85 with a TD. Orton 370 passing on 40 attempts with a TD. Brandon Lloyd 5 catches for 95.

Personnel watch

Troy Smith in his first NFL start since the 2008 season with Baltimore. Frank Gore in his third 100-yard game. The defense generating three sacks of Orton. Brian Westbrook in his most productive 49ers performance. Patrick Willis the leading tackler.

What it means

2-6 with the road game next week before a home game against the Rams in Week 10. The kind of home win that does not change the standings but does change the way the building talks about itself. The new quarterback has the ball next week.