‘Sunday Night Football’ 2014 live stream: How to watch 49ers vs. Broncos online

Trailing Brett Favre's all-time career touchdown pass record by just two, Peyton Manning looks to make history on Sunday Night Football. It won't be easy, though, as his Denver Broncos take on the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite a talented roster that include Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore and Patrick Willis, the 49ers look little like the team that went to three consecutive NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl over the past three years. Their last three wins required comeback efforts, and the offensive line that was so critical to their success has crumbled. Guards Mike Iupati and Alex Boone have struggled to protect Kaepernick, who is on pace to take the second-most sacks of his career for a single season.

Through six weeks, the Denver Broncos look nearly as dangerous as they did last year when they represented the AFC in Super Bowl XLVIII. At 38 years old, Manning remains one of the league's very best quarterbacks. The remade receiving corps, which now includes newcomer Emmanuel Sanders, has stretched out defenses much the way it did a year ago. Tight end Julius Thomas in particular is off to a hot start, scoring multiple easy touchdowns over the Jets last week.

Colin Kaepernick has been a critical to the 49ers' running attack. The dual-threat quarterback has already amassed over 200 yards on the ground at a clip of 5.3. At his current pace, Kaepernick will set career highs in rushing yards (645). Meanwhile, Frank Gore continues to quietly turn out great game after great game, recording 403 yards on just 93 carries. The red-zone work has mostly gone to rookie Carlos Hyde, who leads the team in rushing touchdowns with two.

Prior to the Broncos' Week 4 bye, receiver Demaryius Thomas was a forgotten man in the passing game. In the two games since the team returned from hiatus however, he's been one of the league's most productive players, catching 18 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the uptick in passes for Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders has remained a constant threat. On the year, Sanders has hauled in 35 balls for 473 yards.