49ers vs. Broncos: Breaking down bold predictions for Sunday night

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Jeff Wilson, Justin Hollins, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos

Running Back Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers gives a stiff arm to linebacker Justin Hollins #52 of the Denver Broncos (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Bold Prediction No. 1: 49ers finally have a 100-yard rusher

While the 49ers’ rushing offense has been solid through two games (37 carries for 176 yards in Week 1, and 45 carries for 189 yards in Week 2), the carries load has been spread pretty evenly among a cadre of rushers.

Jeff Wilson leads the pack with 27 totes for 106 yards, followed closely by Trey Lance (16 for 67), rookie Tyrion Davis-Price (14 for 33), wide back Deebo Samuel (12 for 105), and Elijah Mitchell (six for 41).

The unfortunate fact is that three of those five are currently on injured reserve, with Mitchell out for at least five to seven more weeks, Davis-Price likely out around a month, and Lance’s status for 2022 up in the air.

San Francisco did add Marlon Mack to the active roster when Lance went to the IR on Wednesday, and veteran Tevin Coleman is back on the team’s practice squad, but the running back corps is certainly thinner and less dynamic than it appeared to be when the season started.

With that in mind, it’s much more of a bold statement to say the Niners will have their first 100-year rusher of the season.

Wilson has come the closest, rushing for 84 yards last week against the Seahawks, so he’s probably the most likely candidate, but don’t be surprised if Samuel is the one who breaks out on Sunday night in Denver.