Closer look at 49ers' preseason opener

49ERS vs. DENVER BRONCOS

WHERE: Candlestick Park

WHEN: Today, 6 p.m.

TV: CBS (KPIX Ch. 5)

RADIO: 810 AM, 107.7 FM

THE OPPONENT: The Broncos are an elite foe, thanks largely to veteran quarterback Peyton Manning, who chose Denver over San Francisco (among other suitors) in the 2012 offseason. The Broncos lost defensive end Elvis Dumervil in a bureaucratic glitch this year, but still have the fearsome Von Miller to supply pressure.

FLASH-FORWARD: Could this be a Super Bowl XLVIII preview? Most of the Vegas lines seem to think so, with San Francisco and Denver the early favorites. Perhaps they should start focusing on one another, then, and stop being bitter toward the Baltimore Ravens, who eliminated both teams from the postseason in heartbreaking fashion.

KAEP KONTINUED: Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick was a revelation last year, torching defenses with his foot speed as much as his arm. Have the defensive coordinators caught up? We'll begin to find out tonight. Unfortunately, Kaepernick is likely to play only a series or two. We'll see a lot more of backup quarterbacks Scott Tolzien, Colt McCoy and B.J. Daniels behind Kaepernick.

ONE LARGE BLOKE: The preseason opener could mark the debut of defensive lineman Lawrence Okoye, a ridiculous athlete with almost no football experience. Okoye (6-foot-6, 304 pounds) is better known as Great Britain's champion discus thrower.