Denver @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2017 ) Denver 33, San Francisco 14

The Denver Broncos have reeled off three straight victories to remain in the AFC wild-card race and look to add another triumph when they visit the San Francisco 49es on Sunday. But the Broncos were dealt a couple of blows to overcome in the forms of a season-ending injury to receiver Emmanuel Sanders and a probable season-ender for cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

Harris fractured a bone in his lower right leg in last Sunday's 24-10 victory over Cincinnati while Sanders tore his left Achilles during practice on Wednesday. "It's tough," Broncos quarterback Case Keenum told reporters. "You don't really replace guys. Emmanuel is one of the best guys I've ever worked with. ... It surpassed all my expectations, far and away." San Francisco is far removed from the NFC playoff race and has allowed an average of 32.3 points during its three-game slide. The 49ers have lost five games by double digits, including last Sunday's 43-16 setback against Seattle.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -4. O/U: 45.5.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (6-6): Keenum has passed for 2,953 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but it won't be a surprise if Denver opts for a run-heavy attack due to its inexperienced receiving group minus Sanders. Red-hot rookie running back Phillip Lindsay has topped 100 rushing yards in back-to-back games, and his season-best 157 against the Bengals has elevated him to fourth in the NFL with 937. The loss of three-time Pro Bowler Harris will hurt a defensive unit that is receiving standout seasons from pass rushers Von Miller (second in the NFL with 12.5 sacks) and Bradley Chubb (rookie-high 10 sacks).

ABOUT THE 49ERS (2-10): Quarterback Nick Mullens passed for a career-best 414 yards in the loss to the Seahawks and has a stellar target in tight end George Kittle (62 receptions, 893 yards), who is 73 yards away from surpassing the franchise record for a tight end (Vernon Davis with 965 in 2009). "Obviously, it hasn't mattered what quarterback is in there," Mullens told reporters of Kittle. "He's been making plays since Day One. You can credit him to that chemistry because it doesn't matter who is in there. He's going to catch it and step up and make plays." Defensive end DeForest Buckner leads the club with nine sacks, but the defensive unit has allowed more than 30 points on four occasions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Lindsay is averaging an NFL-best 6.1 yards per carry.

2. Denver claimed WR Andre Holmes off waivers from Buffalo shortly after Sanders was injured.

3. San Francisco LS Kyle Nelson was suspended 10 games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

PREDICTION: Broncos 26, 49ers 13