The Steelers were chomping at the bit to get back on the field after their rather lackluster outing 10 days ago in their season opener against the New England Patriots.
In their home opener Sunday against the San Francisco 49’ers, they did disappoint the home fans at Heinz Field.
Picking up pretty much where they left off last season when their offense was one of the most explosive in the NFL, the Steelers dominated the Niners building a 29-3 halftime lead and cruising the rest of the way in a 43-18 win.
Ben Roethlisberger dominated the Niners D, missing on just six passes all day, going 21-for-27 for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He ended the day with a passer rating of 155.8
His favorite target, as usual, was Antonio Brown, who torched the Niners defensive backfield for 9 grabs for 195 yards and a late touchdown.
He twisted and turned all day on the Niners, and averaged 18.9 yards per catch. It seemed no matter what coverage the Niners shifted to him, he was able to get open and make plays.
The run game was good again with backup DeAngelo Williams, who scored three touchdowns on the day and ran for 67 yards on 19 carries. He wasn’t as dominant as in the opener vs the Pats, but didn’t need to be with Ben on fire most of the day.
The Steelers scored first at the 4:20 mark of the first quarter when Roethlisberger hit TE Heath Miller with a short two-yard score to make it 6-0.
The team went for two and got it when Ben hit Brown to make it 8-0.
After a Phil Dawson field goal made it 7-3, the Steelers struck you again, as Williams went over from two yards out to make it 14-3. The team again went for two after a penalty, and Ben found Miller to make it 16-3.
Less than 3 minutes later the Steelers put the game away, as Roethlisberger hit Darrius Heyward-Bey with a deep 35-yard TD to put the score at 22-3 after Josh Scobee missed the PAT.
The Steelers made it 29-3 at the half when Williams went over from two yards out with 1:58 to play in the first half.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Niners got their first TD when Colin Kaepernick hit Anquan Boldin from 14 yards out for their first touchdown to close it to 29-10.
Williams made it 36-10 on a 1-yard run, and then Kaepernick struck with a 75-yard TD to Torrey Smith to make it a 36-18 game.
Ben and Brown hooked up on a shot score from 7 yards out to give the Steelers a 43-18 lead with 7:43 to play. The Niners attempted toscored again, but the ball was loose and Dupree was credited with the stop.
The win evens the Steelers at 1-1 on the year, dropping San Francisco to 1-1.
Next Sunday the black and gold travel to play the St.Louis Rams.
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joseph warn
September 20, 2015 at 4:41 pm
i won!!!!!!!
Bigdan3669
September 20, 2015 at 4:58 pm
The game score was 43-18. The last score was overturned.
DrGeorge
September 20, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Fans have short and convenient memories. The blog site at the Post-Gazette is euphoric. But not so fast, folks.
Remember last week, when no one could cover Gronkowski or Edelman in Boston? This is the same team. So what was the difference today? Here’s what: The 49ers are a rebuilding team, playing on a short week against a team with 10 days rest. Yes, a win is always great, 43 points on offense is impressive, and the defensive goal line stand and holding SFran to 18 does look like improvement. But it’s way to early to talk Super Bowl.
After the hapless Rams in St Louis next week (a test to see if we can win on the road), we play the Ravens, Chargers (in San Diego), Cardinals, Chiefs (in Kansas City), and Bengals — in that order. None of those teams will be as tired or as inept as the 49ers looked today. Last year, we put up 51 on the Colts and 43 on the Ravens in equally impressive wins, and then found a way to lose to the Jets and the Saints on the way to a first round playoff berth, where we lost to those same Ravens 30-17. Enjoy the win — but keep a little perspective.
DaveB
September 20, 2015 at 6:53 pm
Dr. George and I completely agree . Its one win folks , keep it in perspective . Yes , its a great win, but remember , this is not the 49er’s from five or six years ago . The 49er’s offensive line was just that , it was offensive to say the least . Any team , is going to be able to generate heat on the opposing quarterback going against that line . If the Steelers can bring the same heat and intensity when they play the Chargers , Ravens and Chiefs , then we know they have turned the corner . Until then , lets enjoy the win but lets stop making busts for Canton Ohio .
DaveB.
September 21, 2015 at 5:23 am
One follow up to my earlier post . Next week the Steelers face the Rams on the road in St. Louis . Another indication of this team starting to turn the corner will come after this game . The Rams are not a good football team and the Steelers have a long well documented history under Tomlin of playing down to lesser competition . Bottom line , they lose to teams they should have no problem beating . Lets see if they fall into that same trap or if they have finally woken up .
DrGeorge
September 21, 2015 at 8:46 am
Right on point, Dave B., as usual. The Rams are young and talented, but a bit undisciplined and highly inconsistent. They beat Seattle in Week 1 and turned around yesterday and lost to the Redskins 24-10. It’s Jekyll and Hyde in St. Louis, and the Steelers have no idea which team they will face. Yesterday, the Niner’s secondary was so porous, the Steelers hardly bothered to run the ball. But good teams will not be so obliging. We can’t beat every team with big plays. I’d like to see the Steelers grind through the Rams methodically, to prove them can do it. Because in the games after that, they will have to do it to win.
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