Broncos' DeMarcus Ware spun 49ers' Joe Staley around like a top on sacks

Aside from all the Peyton Manning hoopla Sunday night, you knew it was going to be a long night for the San Francisco 49ers when the Denver Broncos' defense raised its level of play to Manning's greatness.

That was on display in many forms, but it manifested most in the huge night from DeMarcus Ware, with his three sacks, four tackles and four QB hits.

The first sack was a piece of artwork — or an embarrassment, depending on your perspective.

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On the third play of the game, Ware makes 49ers left tackle Joe Staley, one of the more solid blockers at his position in the NFL, look silly on his first sack of the evening. Watch the video above as Ware goes upfield with a spin move, dips underneath when Staley gets off balance and Ware manages to spin Staley around like a top.

This is pass-rush excellence. That sack set the tone for the rest of the night.

Ware got to Colin Kaepernick two more times in the game. On the second sack, Ware again got Staley spinning around in a way such a technically sound player never should. This is unreal, although asking any tackle to single-block Ware is a tall order.

On sack No. 3, Ware basically tossed Staley aside on the pass rush. Staley was called for holding on the play, and it didn't matter. That was on second and goal with the 49ers down 42-10 in the final five minutes, and they eventually failed to convert on fourth down. Kaepernick was pulled from the game — wisely — on the next possession.

You want to know why the Broncos might be the best team in the NFL? Manning is one reason; the Broncos' improved defense — led by a resurgent Ware — is another.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm