After seeing a Super Bowl victory fall just beyond their grasp last season, the San Francisco 49ers start the journey again today with their preseason opener at Candlestick Park.
The 49ers will host the Denver Broncos, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. in the team’s first game since its heartbreaking 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl in New Orleans in February.
According to the team’s website, Jim Harbaugh has said starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick will play no more than one quarter against the Broncos, while Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis is out with a hand injury and other veterans like Frank Gore and Justin Smith may not play.
Today’s game also marks the start of the final season at Candlestick Park before the 49ers move to a new stadium in Santa Clara for the 2014-15 season.
Tickets for today’s game are still available through the team’s website and start at $89.60.
San Francisco Municipal Railway officials encourage fans to take Muni to the game and are advising motorists to expect delays of at least two hours on all bridges and freeways leading into San Francisco before and after the game.
Traffic will likely be exacerbated by another San Francisco sports event going on today—a 12:45 p.m. San Francisco Giants game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
For more information about how to get to Candlestick Park, fans can visit www.sfmta.com/football or www.49ers.com/stadium/transportation.html.
The 49ers will play three other preseason games, including another one at home on Aug. 25 against the Minnesota Vikings, before their Sept. 8 regular season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
