NFL Preseason Picks: Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers

Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, 8/17/14, 4:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: San Francisco -3
Current Betting Line: San Francisco -4.5
Opening Total: 40
Current Total: 41.5
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes

The San Francisco 49ers are 8-5 SUATS in preseason play under Jim Harbaugh

Denver picked up a 21-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks as one-point home underdogs in its preseason opener despite getting out-gained by 24 yards, while going UNDER the betting total of 37.5. The Broncos have focused on cleaning up mistakes in camp this week—mainly due to the fact that they were flagged 12 times for 95 yards. Last season, the team was one of 10 in the league to draw at least 26 holding penalties, as it was often in pass protection for starting quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Broncos could have one of the more ferocious pass rushes in the NFL this year, considering Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware will be coming off both edges, which can’t be ignored when making your pro football picks. Denver is 19-16 SU against San Francisco in exhibition play, which includes a 10-6 road victory last year.

San Francisco will take the field at Levi’s Stadium for the first time, as it looks to bounce back from a 23-3 setback to the Baltimore Ravens as 2.5-point road underdogs last week—losing the statistical battle by 199 yards. In his first three seasons at the helm, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has guided the franchise to 36 regular season wins and three postseason appearances. The team’s win total over that span trails only the New England Patriots. It’s important to point out that the squad won all nine of its games when winning the rushing battle last season.

The 49ers allowed the Ravens to run for 237 yards, which is important to consider when making your NFL betting picks, but they were also playing with Glenn Dorsey, Ray McDonald and Justin Smith. San Francisco has some major questions on the depth chart at quarterback, but Harbaugh is sticking behind former Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller Blaine Gabbert. Offensively, all eyes will likely be on former Ohio State Buckeyes star Carlos Hyde, who ran for 39 yards on just five carries in his professional debut.