San Francisco 49ers 30 vs 7 Pittsburgh Steelers summary, stats, and highlights | NFL Week 1
The San Francisco 49ers started the season off with a thumping win over the Pittsburgh Steelers from Acrisure Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Brock Purdy went for 19/29 for 220 yards and two TDs in the 30-7 win from the Steel City.
What a start for San Fran
Week 1 couldn’t have got off to a better start for the Niners who came out on the first drive and marched right down the field after converting a 4th and short around the 50 yard line. Christian McCaffery had a couple of big runs on the first drive and Brock Purdy capped it off with an 8 yard catch to a wide open Brandon Aiyuk in the end zone for San Fran’s first TD of the season.
The defense shut down the Steelers for the first 25 minutes of the first half, forcing four three-and-outs and picking off Kenny Pickett once in the Steelers first five possessions. They had negative yards for the majority of the first 30 minutes, as the Niners tacked on a couple of field goals and Purdy hit Aiyuk for a second TD pass of the first half, this time from 19 yards out to take a 20-0 lead.
The Steelers offense finally started clicking on their last drive of the second quarter, going 95 yards, converting on a fourth down and eventually finding the end zone when Pickett hit Pat Freiermuth on a three yard TD pass to give the home fans a bit of hope after a disappointing opening to the season.
McCaffery in midseason form
The Niners made sure to take the wind out of the Steelers sails after their only score of the game. On the second play of the half, Christian McCaffery spun out of a tackle and raced down the sideline following his blockers for a 65 yard TD as the Niners took a 27-7 lead.
McCaffery had 152 yards and a TD on 22 carries, while Brandon Aiyuk added 129 yards and two TDs on 8 catches. It was the perfect start to the season for a team that came in to the season with high expectations. Purdy was near perfect, McCaffery was spectacular and the defense was dominant in the 30-7 win from Pittsburgh.
After the Steelers scored right before the half, it took some of the wind out of the Niners sails after what seemed like a perfect half, but McCaffery made sure the momentum swung back in favor of San Fran right out of the break. He rattled off this 65 yard TD run and had 22 carries for 152 yards and 17 yards receiving.
Before this 95 yard drive right before the half, the Steelers had negative yards of offense. Pickett led his side down the field for the TD but that would be the only time the home side would even sniff the endzone.
Purdy went 19/29 for 220 yards and two TDs in his first game back from UCL surgery. Both of his TD were to Brandon Aiyuk who finished the day with 8 catches for 129 yards.
The first five possession for the Steelers went, three and out, interception, three and out and three and out as the Niners defense suffocated the PIT offense.
The Niners got a stop on their first defensive possession, and then converted a 4th and short to set up this 8 yard TD pass from Purdy to Brandon Aiyuk.
IT'S ALL OVER FROM PITTSBURGH!!!
The Niners start strong and finish strong in a blow out win from Pittsburgh.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!
Pickett is swarmed in the backfield and dropped by Hargrave and that will do it. This game has been over for a while, but now the Niners can just run the clock out and cruise to their first victory of the season.
PIckett looks short for Austin and that gets five yards.
4th and 5 from the SF 25.
PIckett over the middle to Robinson and that pass play picks up the yardage lost on the sack.
3rd and 10 from the SF 30 after the Two Minute Warning.
Pickett is swarmed in the backfield and it's Jackson with his third sack of the day!
2nd and 20 from the SF 40.
Pickett going deep down the left sideline for Robinson for a 31 yard connection and a rare big play for this offense.
1st and 10 from the SF 30.
Pickett finds Warren for a 6 yard gain to make 3rd down a little easier.
3rd and 11 fro the PIT 39.
Picket is dropped by Greenlaw and Oliver for a 7 yard loss.
2nd and 17 from the PIT 33.
Pickett finds Warren for a 9 yard pick up and a first down.
1st and 10 from the PIT 40.
Pickett tucks and runs for a 4 yard gain.
2nd and 6 from the PIT 31.
PIT start their drive from the 25 and a couple of passes to Pickens move the chains but an unnecessary roughness call against the WR will back the Steelers up to the 27.
1st and 10 from the PIT 27.
FIELD GOAL NINERS!!!
For the third time today, Moody comes out and drills a field goal to complete a perfect NFL debut with a 40 yard FG.
Niners lead 30-7 with 5:30 to go in the 4th quarter.
Purdy's pass to Samuel was behind the WR and the Niners will bring out the punt unit.
4th and 8 from the PIT 22.
Handoff again to Mitchell and he gets three yards up the middle.
3rd and 8 from the PIT 22.
Mitchell stuck at the line of scrimmage and he loses a yard.
2nd and 11 from the PIT 25.
Purdy steps up in the pocket and breaks a couple of tackles to cross the first down marker!
1st and 10 from the PIT 24.
Purdy goes to Mitchell on the screen out of the backfield but that pass falls incomplete.
3rd and 12 from the PIT 42.
McCaffery is swallowed up for a loss of two by Leal.
2nd and 12 from the PIT 42.
Back to McCaffery again and he takes it up the left side for 5 yards.
1st and 10 from the PIT 40.
McCaffery gets the first down handoff and picks up 6 yards.
2nd and 4 from the PIT 45.
INTERCEPTION!!!
Pickettover the middle and Warner got a piece of it, as it popped up Hufanga snagged it out of the air for the pick!
SF take over from their 49.
Pickett links up with Heyward and that pass goes for 11 yards and another first down.
1st and 10 from the PIT 38 .
Pickett finds Austin and they pick up another first down after a 13 yard pick up on the left side.
1st and 10 from the PIT 38.
Picket finds Robinson for a gain of 12 yard on a pass down the left side.
1st and 10 from the PIT 25.
Pickett to to Austin on the right side for 9 yards on the pass to the right side.
2nd and 1 from the PIT 13.
Purdy floats it to the right side and that pass was too far out infront of McCaffery.
4th and 2 and the Niners will punt.
McCaffery runs it to the left side for a gain of 5 yards.
3rd and 2 from the PIT 47.
McCaffery on the first down run to the right side and he picks up three yards.
2nd and 7 from the 50.
On 3rd and 4 Purdy finds Aiyuk yet again, this time on a deep out route for a gain of 22 yards to keep the drive alive.
1st and 10 from the SF 47.
WR screen to McCaffery who was split out wide and he picked up 3 yards on the final play of the third quarter.
3rd and 4 from the SF 25.
McCaffery gets another handoff and takes it three yards up the middle.
2nd and 7 from the SF 22.
McCaffery gets the first down handoff and he picks up 11 yards and a first down. Expect a lot of the SF RB as they look to run some clock.
1st and 10 from the SF 19.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!!
Pickett over the middle and he was looking for Freiermuth, but that pass didn't come close and the Steelers turn it over on downs!
SF take over from their own 8.
Pickett to Warren out of the backfield and he is swarmed by three SF defenders.
4th and 4 coming up and the offense is going to stay on the field.
Harris out of the backfield and he makes the catch for a 6 yard gain after getting hog tied out of bounds.
3rd and 4 from the SF 8.
Pickens just made what would have been the week as he dragged it in with one hand but couldn't get both feet down in the endzone.
2nd and 10 from the SF 14.
Harris moves the chains after a two yard pick up down the middle.
1st and 10 from the SF 14.
TImeout PIT, that's their first of the half with 4:10 left in the third quarter.
Pickett going for Heyward in the endzone and there was a lot of contact, but no flag flies as the pass falls incomplete.
3rd and 2 from the SF 16.
Short out route to Heyward and that goes for 8 yards on first down.
2nd and 2 from the SF 16.
Pickett looking for Austin on the right sideline and he goes to ground to and makes the catch for an 11 yard pick up.
1st and 10 from the SF 24.
Pickett finds Harris out of the backfield and he gets 4 yards on the first down pass.
2nd and 6 from the SF 35.
FUMBLE!!!
Watt gets to Purdy again, and this time it's a strip sack that the Steelers recover!!! A facemask on the Niners will push the Steelers even closer to the endzone and that could be a big momentum swing.
PIT take over from the SF 39.
Great return from McCloud and the Niners will have great field position to start their drive up by 20.
1st and 10 from the PIT 38.
PIckett searching for Robinson and that pass was behind the WR. PIT will punt again and they haven't been able to do anything since their TD to close out the first half.
4th and 4 from the PIT 12.
Harris with a run to the right side and he picks up maybe two yards.
3rd and 4 from the PIT 12.
PIT start their drive from the 6 yard line looking to get back into the endzone.
Out route from Pickett to Austin for a 4 yard gain.
2nd and 6 from the PIT 10.
Purdy is dropped for a 9 yard loss after Watt broke into the backfield and got his second sack of the day.
4th and 15 and the Niners will punt.
Mitchell gets the handoff up the middle and he takes it for three yards.
3rd and 6 from the PIT 46.
McCaffery swallowed up at the line and gets maybe a yard on first down.
2nd and 9 from the PIT 49.
Purdy under pressure and he found a wide open Aiyuk for a 15 yard pick up to keep the drive alive.
1st and 10 from the 50.
Pitch to McCaffery on the left side and he is dropped for a loss of a yard.
3rd and 8 from the SF 35.
McCaffery gets the first down handoff out of the shotgun for a gain of 3 yards.
2nd and 7 from the SF 36.
SF take over from the 17 and Purdy going down the middle for Aiyuk again, this time for 16 yards and a first down to start the drive.
1st and 10 from the SF 33.
Pickett looking for Robinson on the roll out and that pass was too high. The Steelers will punt again as the offense once again comes to a half.
4th and 6 from the SF 45.
Warren up the middle for a short gain of two yards on second down.
3rd and 6 from the SF 45.
Pickett to Warren on the screen pass but he is wrapped up for a short gain of two.
2nd and 8 from the SF 47.
PIT need to respond and they will start their drive from the 25.
Pickett finds Johnson who made the catch and took it up field for a big gain of 26 yards, but Johnson clutches his hamstring after the play and even when something goes right for PIT, they take two steps back.
1st and 10 from the SF 49.
Check out the spin out of the tackle, and the block down field for the 65 yard TD for McCaffery!
TOUCHDOWN NINERS!!!
Just like that the Niners are back up by 20 after an incredible run from McCaffery who spun out of a tackle took it down the sideline and got a block down field from Aiyuk as he dives into the endzone and goes over 100 yards for the day with a 65 yard TD run!
SF with a crushing blow to start the second half, they lead 27-7 just minutes into the third quarter!
Purdy with a play action pass on the first play of the second half and he finds Deebo for 10 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the SF 35.
WE ARE BACK FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION FROM PITTSBURGH!
SF get the ball to start the half and will take over from the 35.
Not much was happening for the Steelers on the offensive end, but their last drive went 95 yards and they finished with a 3 yard TD pass from Pickett to Freiermuth right before halftime to give the homeside a little momentum going into the second half.
Before that last drive the Steelers had nothing but three and outs and this interception on the offensive side of the ball.
The Niners came out firing out of the gate, thanks to a perfect drive to start the game. Purdy hit Brandon Aiyuk for an 8 yard TD for the opening TD of the season.
The Niners kneel it and that will bring us to the end of the first half from Pittsburgh!
The Steelers had negative yards coming into the last drive but a 95 yard TD drive gets the home side back into the game.
TOUCHDOWN STEELERS!!!
Pickett finds Freiermuth on the short out route and the Steelers are on the board after a 95 yard 12 play drive!
PIT are back in the game, trailing 20-7 with 10 seconds to go in the first half.
Pickett got hit as he threw and it fell incomplete, but an illegal contact will give the Steelers a first down from the 3 yard line.
Pickett to Pickens on the left sideline and that pitch and catch goes for 4 yards as the clock stops with the WR running out of bounds.
3rd and 6 from the SF 7.
Pickett finds McFarland out of the backfield and that moves the chains after a gain of 5.
PIT clock the ball and they have 2nd and 10 from the SF 11 with 23 seconds on the clock.
Pickett over the middle to Johnson but that pass was a little low and behind him.
4th and 3 and we will see what the Steelers do here down by 20.
Pickett to the endzone for Friermuth over the middle and he got popped by Hufanga jarred the ball out of his hands.
3rd and 3 from the SF 16 with 42 seconds on the first half clock.
Picket to Johnson for another completion for 7 yards on first down.
2nd and 3 from the SF 16.
Pickett with a dart to Johnson for 15 yards over the middle and another first down!
1st and 10 from the SF 23.
Pickett to the right side for Robinson and he finds the WR on the sideline for 9 yards.
2nd and 1 from the SF 38.
Harris gets the pitch to the right side and he picks up 24 yards, adn an extra 15 yards will be tacked on after an unnecessary roughness flag on SF.
1st and 10 from the SF 47.
Pickett went deep after he thought he saw SF jump offside, but no flag threw and the pass to Pickens falls incomplete.
3rd and 1 from the PIT 14.
PIT start their drive from the 5 and Pickett finds Pickens for a 9 yard gain before getting pushed out of bounds.
2nd and 1 from the PIT 14.
After an illegal snap backed the Niners up 5 yards, Purdy was flushed out of the pocket and his pass down the left sideline falls incomplete.
4th and 15 and the Steelers finally force a punt from the Niners.
Purdy's arm was hit as he unloaded downfield for Samuel and that falls incomplete.
3rd and 10 from the PIT 37.
Purdy's throw hit Kittle in the hands, but popped out and the Niners were lucky to not be picked off.
2nd and 10 from the PIT 37
Purdy spins away from the rush and tosses it to Samuel on the move and he makes the snag on the pass that was a bit behind him for a 10 yard gain and another first down.
1st and 10 from the PIT 37 as we come to the Two Minute Warning!
McCaffery gets the first down handoff up the middle for a gain of 2.
2nd and 8 from the PIT 47.
Toss to McCaffery to the left side and he gets 7 yards to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the PIT 49.
Mitchell gets the handoff out of the shotgun and he picks up 4 yards to make it 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the SF 44.
Pitch to Samuel on the left side and he gets 5 yards on first down.
2nd and 5 from the SF 40.
Purdy finds McCaffery right at the marker and that will move the chains for another first down! PIT can't get a stop today against this potent Niners offense.
1st and 10 from the SF 34.
Purdy's pass was tipped at the line as he looked for McCaffery.
3rd and 6 from the SF 28.
SF get the ball back from their 24 and Purdy picks up 4 yards on a scramble before running out of bounds.
2nd and 6 from the 28.
Purdy to Aiyuk for the second TD of the game, and with all the weapons on the Niners offense it seems like PIT forgot to key in on Aiyuk who has 76 yards on 5 catches already.
Pickett looking for Freiermutch at the first down marker, but he couldn't come up with the catch and that is another three and out for the Steelers, who are still looking for their first first down.
4th and 6 from the PIT 40.
Pitch to Warren and he gets three yards before the Steelers came to close down the RB.
3rd and 6 from the PIT 40.
Warren gets a yard on the first down run up the middle.
2nd and 9 from the PIT 36.
McFarland with another good return to the 35 and let's see if the PIT offense can get going.
FIELD GOAL NINERS!!!
Moody drills his second field goal of the day, this time from 32 yards and the Niners score for their fourth straight possession.
SF lead 20-0 with 8:22 to go in the first half.
On the replay you could see that Purdy recovered the ball from underneath him and the Niners keep the ball.
Purdy looking for Kittle in the corner of the endzone and overthrew the TE.
4th and 7 coming up from the PIT 13.
Purdy was sacked by Watt who finally got some pressure on the SF QB! The ball came out and Purdy got the ball back, but the Steelers think they had the ball and they will challenge!
McCaffery gets the pitch to the left side and picks up 3 yards before getting pushed out of bounds.
2nd and 7 from the PIT 13.
Purdy steps up in the pocket and finds guess who? Aiyuk on another third down conversion on a 17 yard connection. An unnecessary roughness will move the Niners even closer to the endzone.
1st and 10 from the PIT 15.
Samuel over the middle on the short catch and he gets 7 yards to make it third and manageable.
3rd and 7 from the PIT 47.
McCaffery gets cut down after a short gain of a yard of first down.
2nd and 14 from the SF 46.
SF take the ball back from the 50 and an illegal motion will back them up 5 yards.
1st and 15 from the SF 45.
After a false start on third and long, Pickett is dropped behind the line of scrimmage by Jackson for the second time today! The Steelers have negative yards of offense a quarter and some change into this game.
4th and 20 at the PIT 15.
Pickett should have been picked off for the second time today. The pressure got to Pickett and Warner had it in his hands, but dropped it on what would have been a pick six.
3rd and 15 from the PIT 20.
PIT looking to get their offense going, but PIckett's pass to Warren in the backfield was sniffed out by Hufanga and he is dropped for a 5 yard loss.
2nd and 15 from the PIT 20.
TOUCHDOWN NINERS!!!
What a back shoulder throw from Purdy to Aiyuk who made the catch while be draped by Peterson and he's got his second TD catch of the day!
The Niners lead 17-0 just a minute and a half into the second quarter.
McCaffery is stopped behind the line of scrimmage for the first time today.
2nd and 12 from the PIT 19 after the loss of two.
Purdy over the middle on the first play of the second quarter and he finds Deebo who went up and got it for a gain of 22 yards.
1st and 10 from the PIT 39.
A false start on the Niners will be the final play of the first quarter which has been dominated by the Niners.
Total Yards after 15 minutes:
SF: 118
PIT: 2
Purdy hits Aiyuk on the slant and that moves the chains after a 10 yard pick up.
1st and 10 from the PIT 34.
Mitchell with the first down run to the right side and he picks up a yard or two.
2nd and 8 from the PIT 44.
McCaffery up the guy again and he breaks a few tackles for 12 yard and another first down. What a first quarter he is having.
1st and 10 from the PIT 45.
PUrdy looking for Kittle over the middle and Peterson was there again to bat that pass down. Both of Purdy's incompletions have been batted down by Peterson.
2nd and 10 from the SF 44.
McCaffery gets the handoff this time and he takes it up the middle for 5 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the SF 44.
San Fran get the ball back from the SF 32 and Purdy finds McCaffery out of the backfield for a 7 yard gain over the middle on first down.
2nd and 3 from the SF 39.
Pickett had time in the pocket, and he was looking for Pickens over the middle but led him to much and the Steelers go three and out, INT and three and out on their first three drive.
4th and 8 from the PIT 34.
Harris gets the second down hand off and he is stopped at the line of scrimmage on his run up the middle.
3rd and 8 from the PIT 34.
PIT start their third drive from the 34 after another good return from McFarland and Pickett goes play action and finds Robinson for a short gain of 2 yards on first down.
2nd and 8 from the PIT 36.
FIELD GOAL NINERS!!!
Moody comes on and hits his first FG of his young NFL carrer from 41 yards!
San Fran lead 10-0 with 4:38 to go in the first quarter.
The FG was blocked but an offsides will give the Niners another shot at it from five yards closer.
Purdy was under pressure and got rid or it to the right sideline for Kittle, but he is stopped well short of the first down marker and the Niners will bring out the FG unit.
4th and 11 from the PIT 28
Purdy searching for Jennings over the middle and that pass falls incomplete after it was batted down by Peterson.
3rd and 14 from the PIT 30.
Purdy finds Kittle with a short pass over the middle and he is chopped down after a gain of 6.
2nd and 16 from the PIT 30.
Toss to McCaffery goes for a couple yards, but a holding call will back the Niners up 10 yards.
1st and 20 from the PIT 36.
Purdy with a strike over the middle to Aiyuk who was wide open again! He takes it 23 yards down the field and every thing is looking so easy for the Niners right now.
1st and 10 from the PIT 26.
McCaffery gets the handoff and he is swallowed up at the line of scrimmage.
2nd and 10 from the PIT 48.
INTERCEPTION!!!
This game couldn't have started any better for the Niners!!! Pickett had time in the pocket and launched one down field for Johnson who slipped and Ward was right there to make the INT!
SF get the ball from the PIT 48 up by 7 early in the first half.
Quick throw to the flat for Austin and he picks up 7 yards on the catch and run.
3rd and 5 from the PIT 32.
The Steelers start their second drive of the day fro the PIT 27, and Harris gets the handoff but is drilled by Warner for a loss of 2.
2nd and 12 from the PIT 25.
After going for it on 4th and 1 from midfield, the Niners started cruising down the field. McCaffery had a couple of big runs and Purdy hit Aiyuk with the 8 yard TD pass that might be the first one of any game on this NFL Sunday.
TOUCHDOWN NINERS!!!
Purdy drops back and finds Aiyuk wide open in the endzone for an 8 yard TD Pass and the Niners are on the board after their opening drive!
SF lead 7-0 a little over 5 minutes into the first game.
McCaffery gets the handoff up the middle and he breaks through the line for a big burst of 17 yards!
1st and Goal from the PIT 8!
Pitch to McCaffery to the left side and he gets 9 yards before getting pushed out of bounds.
2nd and 1 from the PIT 25.
The Niners go for it on 4th down and out of the shotgun Purdy finds Kittle out of the play action and he moves the chains with an 11 yard catch and run on the left sideline.
1st and 10 from the PIT 34.
McCaffery gets his first handoff and tried to go over the top of the pile and he is stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
4th and 1 coming up in four down territory.
Samuel gets the handoff out of the shotgun and he picks up 3 yards and the Niners have 3rd and 1 from the PIT 45.
SF start their drive from their 46 and Purdy finds Deebo over the middle for a gain of 6 yards.
2nd and 4 from the PIT 48.
Pickett is dropped in the backfield by Jackson after another great rush from the Niners D line. PIT goes three and out after the 10 yard sack.
4th and 15 from the PIT 20.
Austin gets the pitch play after a bit of misdirection and he does well to lose just a yard after after the Niners got into the backfield.
2nd and 5 from the PIT 30.
Pickett drops back and hits PIckens for a gain of six on a short stop route on first down.
2nd and 4 from the PIT 31.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM PITTSBURGH!!!
The Steelers will start the season with the ball from the 25 here from Acrisure Stadium!!!
Today's odds
The San Francisco 49ers come into Pittsburgh as 1.5 points favorites on the road, with the Over/Under at 41.5.
Both of these teams have a lot of expectations coming into this season, and I think both meet those expectations eventually, but today I'm taking the Niners to start the season off with a win, and I think as usual they are going to do it with their defense.
Prediction: 24-14 Niners.
Steelers arsenal on the offensive end
The future of the Steelers is looking bright, and that is thanks to some fantastic draft picks over the last few years. Kenny Pickett gets a lot of the attention after a stunning first season in Pittsburgh, but he has a multitude of weapons to chose from in the backfield and at wide receiver.
Najee Harris is a budding superstar at the running back position. He can do it on the ground and is also dangerous catching passes out of the backfield. Pickett also has one of the most dangerous one two punches at WR, with George Pickens and Dionte Johnson. Today the Steelers will need everyone to put in a complete performance to topple the Niners in the season opener.
Niners dominant D
The heart and soul of this Niners team over the last five years has been their defense. In that time, they have had two fantastic coordinators that have gone on to be named head coaches. After the departure of Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans, the Niners named Steve Wilks their defensive coordinator. They have endless weapons on the the edge, at linebacker and in the secondary, and one of the best defensive players in the NFL, Nick Bosa as their leader. There is a lot of talk about Purdy, Christian McCaffery and Deebo Samuel, but this is a team that will always rely on their defense to win football games.
Purdy QB of the future in SF
Around this time last year, no one knew the name Brock Purdy outside of Iowa State, and a few die hard fans in the Bay Area. By the end of January, Brock Purdy might have been the most talked about player in the NFL. The rookie and last pick in the draft went from a third string QB to a league wide sensation in a matter of weeks, and now after an offseason of debate, he has been given the green light and will be the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. He threw for over 1300 yards and 13 TDs in five starts and was a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year. This year all eyes will be on Purdy as he looks to improve on what was a historic rookie year.
Same ole San Fran
The San Francisco 49ers have been the reference point in the NFC for the last few years. Their patented brand of smash mouth, gritty football and efficient offense has led them to deep runs in the playoffs for three of the last four years. In each of those three playoff years they went to the Conference Championship or further. This year more of the same is expected from this team as they look to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay for the first time since 1995.
Steelers stability on the sidelines
After a decade of dominance in the 70’s, Steelers fans have become accustomed to being in the Super Bowl mix on a yearly basis. In that time players have come and gone, but one of the essential keys to success is the Steelers commitment, and loyalty to their coaches. Since 1969, Pittsburgh has seen just three coaches on the sidelines in the Steel City. Chuck Knoll was coach from 1969-1991, Bill Cowher was in charge from 1992-2006 and Mike Tomlin has been in Pittsburgh from 2007 until now and knows what it takes to build a Super Bowl winning team.
Steelers last group
After two decades of Big Ben in the Steel City, their franchise quarterback hung up his cleats and a rebuilding process seemed inevitable for the Steelers. A defense led by the best defensive player in the league, and a rookie quarterback who filled the future full of hope had a team that should have been at the bottom of the AFC fighting for a playoff spot in the final week of the season. They beat the Browns in Week 18 to secure Mike Tomlin’s 16th straight non losing season, but missed out on the playoffs because of a tiebreaker. This year, much more is projected for a team that exceeded expectations even by their own fans sky high standards.
Niners last year
The Niners started last year as one of the favorites in the NFC on the foundation of a ferocious defense, and an offense full of weapons but led by a first year starting QB in Trey Lance. Lance suffered a season ending ankle injury early in the year and Jimmy Garoppolo took over as the QB1 until he too fell to a season ending injury. A rookie, and the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft took the wheel and led the Niners to a game away from the Super Bowl. They would eventually lose to the Philadelphia Eagles after Purdy was injured and so was the 4th string running back. Purdy was forced to come back into the game unable to throw, and the Eagles ran away with the game leaving San Fran short of a trip to the Super Bowl.
We are live from Pittsburgh
Hello everyone and welcome to the Steel City where Pittsburgh is looking to keep the wind in their sails after a fantastic finish to last season. In the year after Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers were expected to go through at least a bit of a rebuilding process, but instead they found themselves competing for a playoff spot towards the end of the season. The Niners had one of the most improbable runs to Championship Sunday we have ever seen as a rookie QB and Mr. Irrelevant took San Fran on a deep playoff run before getting injured in the NFC title game, but he now has the keys to the car in the Bay and is looking to bring Super Bowl glory back to Niner nation.
Niners vs. Steelers live
Week 1 is finally here, and we are with you from Acrisure Stadium for one of the games of the week as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the San Francisco 49ers. AS English will be with you the entire way, providing live coverage, stats, scores, highlights and analysis of this mouthwatering opening week matchup.