"It was the type of play for the 49ers that never should have worked.

On their side, there was the former third-string quarterback, who was making his first start in three years, chucking a deep pass — while throwing off his back foot. The ball was intended for a backup tight end, who hadn't caught a pass in the past three games and only seven passes all season.

On the other side, for the Broncos, were two likely Hall of Fame defensive backs in deep coverage.

So who do you like? Troy Smith and Delanie Walker for the 49ers, or the Broncos' Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey?

In the 49ers' 24-16 victory against the Broncos on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, it was the duo you would least expect that helped start the Broncos' defensive undoing.

The Broncos were leading 10-3 early in the fourth quarter when Smith took off scrambling to his right, chased by Broncos defensive linemen Ryan McBean and Ronald Fields. Smith, the former Heisman Trophy winner who was anointed as the 49ers' new starter on Wednesday, heaved the ball deep just as he approached the Broncos' sideline, and it was Walker who landed with the ball at the 1-yard line, not Dawkins, who was in coverage, or Bailey, who was helping.

"(Smith) just threw it up, and Dawkins was standing in front of the guy he was throwing it to, and last second, Dawkins got a little nudge. I'm holding back because I think (Dawkins) is going to get it or tip it," Bailey said. "I didn't want us both to jump and the ball come down to him if one of us tipped it. And the ball happened to come down right in (Walker's) hands.

"Just the luck of the draw sometimes."

Dawkins immediately pleaded to an official for a flag for offensive pass interference, arguing that Walker got away with a push. After the game, however, Dawkins said he wouldn't dispute the noncall.

"I've never been someone in my career that's ever made excuses. I just have to make that play. Regardless of the circumstances, I have to make that play," Dawkins said."