George Kittle’s 56-yard touchdown catch gave San Francisco the answer it needed after Denver closed within a field goal, helping the 49ers finish a 24–14 win at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, October 4.
The 49ers improved to 4–0. Denver fell to 2–2 after a fourth-quarter rally that twice drew a touchdown response from San Francisco.
Kittle restores the cushion
Christian McCaffrey’s one-yard touchdown run had put the 49ers ahead 17–6. Denver then drove 70 yards in eight plays, finishing with Bo Nix’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle. Tyler Badie’s successful two-point run reduced the margin to 17–14.
San Francisco answered with a five-play, 69-yard possession that took 1:50. Brock Purdy found Kittle for the 56-yard score, and Eddy Piñeiro’s extra point made it 24–14. Kittle’s catch was his longest reception since 2023.
Three second-half touchdowns break the tie
The teams had reached halftime level at 3–3, with Wil Lutz’s 52-yard field goal for Denver answered by Piñeiro’s 24-yarder. San Francisco scored all three of its touchdowns after the break.
Purdy’s one-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel Sr. completed a nine-play, 28-yard drive in the third quarter and gave the 49ers a 10–3 lead. Lutz’s 40-yard field goal then narrowed the gap to four before McCaffrey’s touchdown.
Special teams also supplied San Francisco with a valuable possession: Siran Neal recovered Marvin Mims Jr.’s fumbled punt return in Denver territory.
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