Hello Denver and San Francisco, it’s London calling.
The NFL makes its fourth annual pilgrimage to England when the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers – two teams trying to salvage their seasons – meet on Sunday.
The Broncos (2-5) and 49ers (1-6) are probably happy to leave the U.S., although the fans of American football in London might not take much of a liking to these guys.
It is also fitting that these teams meet on Halloween because their latest setbacks were pretty frightening. A 40 percent chance of showers could add to the mess.
Denver is coming off a 59-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders, which equaled the most points allowed in team history. San Francisco was also humiliated when it became the first team in 2010 to lose to the Carolina Panthers 23-20. The 49ers won their only game, 17-9 over the Raiders, on Oct. 17.
A man named Smith will hone his craft at quarterback in England. It won’t be Alex Smith for the 49ers, though – he’s out two to three weeks with a separated left shoulder.
49ers coach Mike Singletary decided to bypass backup David Carr and go with Troy Smith, who practiced with the first team for the first time Wednesday. He last started an NFL game during his rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.
It’s not like Singletary is throwing Smith to the werewolves. The Broncos’ defense is ranked 27th in sacks with nine, 25th in yards allowed (361.9) and 31st in points allowed per game at 28.4, up from 23.3 before last week.
The 49ers’ Frank Gore leads the NFL with 914 yards from scrimmage (573 rushing), and will face a Broncos’ defense ranked 30th against the rush (156.3 yards per game).
Gore also leads the 49ers with 37 receptions and has two receiving touchdowns. Tight end Vernon Davis has 32 catches and one touchdown catch in four straight games, while Michael Crabtree has 28 receptions and two touchdowns.
Davis is questionable with an ankle injury, but is expected to play.
Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton is coming off his worst game of the season (12 of 29, 198 yards, 2 TDs, interception returned for a touchdown), but is third in the NFL in passing yards per game (305.7).
Orton goes against a 49ers’ defense which is ranked 13th in yards allowed, but 27th in scoring (23.1). Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who is second in the NFL with 709 yards, had one reception for 46 yards last week.
The Broncos’ running game, last in the NFL with 68.4 yards per game, took another blow when Knowshon Moreno grabbed his right hamstring during practice Wednesday.
Moreno, who scored two receiving touchdowns last week, missed the previous three games with a left hamstring injury and the preseason with a right hamstring injury.
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said he believes Moreno will play some on Sunday.
Denver rookie cornerback Perrish Cox will not make the trip. He suffered a concussion against the Raiders. Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal is questionable after aggravating his groin injury last week. He missed Wednesday’s practice but made the trip to London.
San Francisco won the last meeting 26-23 in overtime in 2006.