49ers game Sunday vs. Broncos: Betting odds and prediction for NFL Week 3 game

The 49ers look to win their first road game of 2022 against the Broncos on Sunday Night Football, and it’ll be with Jimmy Garoppolo under center.

The San Francisco 49ers may have won their Week 2 home matchup over the Seattle Seahawks. But after losing quarterback Trey Lance to a season-ending ankle injury, it almost feels like a loss.

Except for the fact that the Niners have their starter from the previous five years, Jimmy Garoppolo, in the fray and ready to take over like he never left (because he didn’t).

Lance’s injury will carry plenty of long-term ramifications, yes. However, for a San Francisco squad aiming for nothing short of a Super Bowl now, being able to turn back to Jimmy G has to be constituted as something of a win, right?

Standing in the way of the 49ers getting above the .500 mark for the first time this season are the 1-1 Denver Broncos, who suffered an embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Seahawks before scratching their way to a late win over the lowly Houston Texans in Week 2.

And while the Niners are happy not to see quarterback Russell Wilson and his 16-4 regular-season record against San Francisco in the NFC West anymore, they still have to play him when the 49ers and Broncos square off on Sunday Night Football for Week 3.

49ers vs. Broncos betting odds Week 3

Right now at least, the transition from Lance to Garoppolo isn’t going to move the betting line away from the Niners and towards Denver. And according to some sportsbooks, it’s possible San Francisco’s odds actually end up increasing with the veteran.

Per the oddsmakers at WynnBET, the 49ers open up as 2.5-point underdogs for their Week 3 bout versus the Broncos, which isn’t bad considering home teams are typically awarded three points anyway.

The Niners’ moneyline is +120, and the over/under for the game is 42.5.

49ers vs. Broncos prediction Week 3

Wilson’s career record against San Francisco is a cause for concern, yes. However, through two games in Denver, we’re not talking about Wilson looking the part of his usual Pro Bowl self.

Looking solely at his efforts against those Texans in Week 2, Wilson did manage to complete that game-winning touchdown to tight end Eric Saubert late in the fourth quarter. But that doesn’t erase an otherwise shaky game from the veteran quarterback in which he completed only 14 of 31 passes and posted a 66.5 passer rating.

Read More: Biggest winners, losers from Russell Wilson trade to Broncos

If anything, Denver’s problems under first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett could and hopefully should carry over against a 49ers team that doesn’t experience any notable drop in the transition from Lance to Garoppolo.

Provided Wilson doesn’t have a rebound game or one of those classic performances against his formal rivals, the Niners should be able to go on the road and win this one.

Let’s call for a 23-17 victory for San Francisco.

The 49ers and Broncos kick off on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 8:20 p.m. ET from Empower Field at Mile High.