Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) – San Francisco 49ers (1-0): 7-30
Duel between big defenses this Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The last two defenders of the year (TJ Watt and Nick Bosa) face each other. Above all, it is the opportunity to observe two question marks at the quarterback position. Has Brock Purdy (49ers) returned from his injury? Does Kenny Pickett (Steelers) confirm his superb pre-season?
If the first question was swept away in less than half-time by a very good Purdy, Kenny Pickett was more worrying, also not helped by his teammates.
San Francisco suffocates the locals
During the first period, San Francisco already folds the match. Twice, Brock Purdy (19/29, 220 yards, 2 touchdowns) found Brandon Aiyuk untenable in the end zone: 8 receptions, 129 yards, 2 touchdowns. The 49ers lead 20-0, while the Steelers have only covered one yard on offense!
Indeed, San Francisco impresses on both sides of the ball. Second-year player Drake Jackson eclipses Nick Bosa by signing 3 sacks, runner Najee Harris (6 races, 31 yards) does not advance, well chased by the red and gold linebackers.
Pittsburgh manages to score a touchdown in the last two minutes, on a reception from Pat Freiermuth, anecdotally.
The Niners manage, Pittsburgh struggles
In the second half, San Francisco took less than a minute to drive the point home with a superb 65-yard run from the inevitable Christian McCaffrey (22 races, 152 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 receptions, 17 yards). With a 20-point lead again, the Californians manage and are content to keep the clock running: 37 minutes of possession in the end, compared to only 23 for the Steelers.
Kenny Pickett (31/46, 232 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions), forced to throw to come back, is caught missing the superb air coverage in the center of the field and is intercepted a second time by safety Talanoa Hufanga.
At the end of the match, the 49ers had fun and collected sacks (5 in total, as well as 9 QB hits). The Steelers threw in the towel and were fanny in the second period, after an indigestible offensive performance (239 yards in 11 drives). Final score 30-7.
Next week, Pittsburgh will look to make up ground against division rivals Cleveland. The Niners will also play a division game, against the Rams.
