49ers vs. Broncos 2014 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

The defending AFC champion Denver Broncos face one of their tougher opponents Sunday night as they welcome the San Francisco 49ers into Mile High. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning enters the game just two touchdowns shy of 508, the career record held by Brett Favre.

Playing without linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith, the 49ers have gotten off to a rocky start despite their 4-2 record. In Week 2, they allowed a suspect Chicago Bears team to stick around and ultimately win in a 28-20 upset. They followed that performance up with a 23-14 defeat to Arizona. Though the 49ers won each of the three games that followed, each required a comeback effort. The team needs to stabilize quickly if it hopes to stick with Denver.

Though they technically trail the San Diego Chargers by a half game, the Broncos look nearly as dominant as they did a year ago when they represented the AFC in the Super Bowl. Manning, though not quite on the torrid pace he set last year as the league MVP, remains one of the NFL's most dangerous players. His receivers have actually improved since last year, with Emmanuel Sanders proving to be even more dangerous than Eric Decker.

The 49ers' ground game has performed well thus far in 2014. Led by Frank Gore, the group averages over 4 yards per carry with three players (Kaepernick included) receiving 40 or more carries. Kaepernick has distributed his passes fairly evenly this season, with each of his top three wideouts catching 20 or more passes. Joining them is Vernon Davis, who has 12 catches for 121 yards and two scores despite missing multiple games to injury.

Meanwhile, the Broncos have struggled to run the ball effectively. Lead back Montee Ball was averaging only 3.1 yards per carry before a groin injury sidelined him for the foreseeable future. Replacement Ronnie Hillman has fared better, though he is currently straddling the 4-yards-per-carry mark. No other back has more than 20 carries.