Gameday Preview: Week 3 – 49ers vs Steelers
The 49ers (2-0) travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0). This game has Pittsburgh winning all over it, well at least according to Vegas and the NFL experts. However the 49ers have a much improved defense and the Steelers offense is not as high powered the other offenses the 49ers have faced to start the season. In the end this game will most likely come down to which team executes better on defense. Here are some things to look for during this weekends game.
When the 49ers have the ball:
Through two games the 49ers offense has yet to surpass 200 total yards. In order for the 49ers to make this a game and pull the upset they have to get their offense back on track and put up yards both on the ground and in the air, which is tough considering how well the Steelers defense plays. I believe Edgerrin James was the last 100 yard rusher at Heinz Field and that was back in 2005. The line has to come together and give Smith the time he needs to find his open man, and with that Smith needs to somehow get the ball in Vernon Davis’ hands who will be key in the outcome of the game. If there is any area that is weak on the Steelers defense that would be their secondary. Smith and Co, need to take advantage of that and if they can that will open up the running game. Look for the Steelers to put as many men in the box as they can, in order to keep Frank Gore in check. Forcing the 49ers to beat them in the air.
When the Steelers have the ball:
The 49ers are adapting to the 3-4 well this season, but don’t look for them to throw any different looks out there that Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t seen. He goes up against Dick LeBeau’s 3-4 everyday in practice, so he will not be surprised. The 49ers have done well at stopping the run and last weekend they kept Steven Jackson in check and Willie Parker is no Steven Jackson. Roethlisberger looks to be back in form this season and is managing the game well. The 49ers must put pressure on Ben to force him to make mistakes. Last week they sacked Marc Bulger six times, but unfortunately the Steelers line is nowhere need as bad as the Rams line. The Steelers will grind in out on the ground, hoping to win the time of possession battle. The 49ers must get their defense off the field and sustain longer drives on offense in order to pull out the victory.
Key Matchup:
49ers offense line vs the Steeler front seven. The 49ers must give Smith time to throw the ball and open up the lanes for Gore. If they fail to do that Smith and Co. are in for a long day.
Key Injuries:
49ers – Manny Lawson (out)
Steelers – none
Expert Picks:
They all are picking the Steelers.
Vegas Odds:
Consensus is the Steelers favored by 9
Prediction:
Both teams will have to win the game in the air. They will both focus on stopping the run and the team which performs better on defense will win this game. This will be a battle for turnovers as neither team has given up big plays on defense. Special teams will play a huge factor in this as well and I give a slight edge to the 49ers (as long as Nedney keeps his kickoffs in bounds)
Homer pick: 49ers 17 – Steelers 13
Non homer pick: Steelers 24 – 49ers 17
SHITHEAD rightly said! 
he isnt leaving under his own power....Jed and the rest of the front office are making him quit. 
this guys a real dipshit and i hoped he would be gone, but not right before the draft, even if ...
I agree Jordan I'm not sold on Davis at all, I think we need to get smith a good o ...
Whats Lawson out with?
Torn ACL.
It’s time to get VD the damn ball! May this please be his coming out game! I think this is a huge game for Alex Smith.
Just saw the Manny is out for the year with an ACL tear!? That blows!
Homer pick: 49ers 17 – Rams 13
That should probably say Steelers and not Rams.
Holy Crap??? That just sucks about Lawson…he was playing well and was agressive… =(
Hopefully Pitts will cram 8 in the box, we block well and hit the receivers.
First 2 games make me nervous offensivewise…Another day of yelling at the TV…lol
49ers 14 – Steelers 13
Hey? It COULD happen =)
they say we have to win this game in the air and i hope so. that way we can us some other weapons other than gore. The rest of the NFL knows about Gore but they dont think Alex can beat them so if he can come out and play his ass off and get his first 300 yard passing game that should open alot of holes up for the rest of the season
How about getting vernon involved more including some running plays. Go 9ers
I’m really worried that the Dallas Hillbillies might be the best in the NFC. I do not, I repeat, I do not want to see that Arrogant team win. I would love for us to face them in the NFC Championship, but the way were playing now we can’t match up. I think we can get better real soon, but something has to change! Can we get any quality free agents on the market at wide receiver? I think we need to try experimenting with rotating V.D. to wide receiver. This would open upon up the offense, and give the defensive backs on the opposing team a difficult time.(V.D. is a physical monster!) The point I’m trying to make is that I want us to get to number six before those Cowtipping Hillbillies! It looks like to me that the cowbiliies will have a cake walk to the Superbowl. There are no really good teams that are a threat to them in the NFC. I hope we become a threat real soon and shock the Cowbillies, the ESPN media, and the NFL!
I hope the Cowbillies Do not even make it to the NFC Championship! I hope they get beat in the first Round, like last year!
well Romo is not holding this year so I dont see it happening.
I miss you guys pickin on me.
hey man don’t worry about the cowboys winning the sixth before us.aint nobody stoppin the patriots this year.
man thats true about the NFC though.the only superbowl contenders are the Bears and Cowboys.I doubt the saints make play-offs.
did you hear the cowboys aquired Tank Johnson?Jerry Jones will do anything to win.I mean N-E-THING!
I will be at this game, since I am a Pennsylvania Niners fan. I am not expecting them to win this one, but I look at it this way. If they can pull this one off, this might just be the great season we were all hoping for.
All of the expert picks have us loosing this game, but I think if we’ve found ways to win the first two games, without playing good offense, what could happen when we do start playing, it’s just a matter of time until Smith and VD start playing together. Pitt. played the Bills and the Browns, Cmon! I think we could’ve beat either team.
I’ve learned not to listen and think too much on what the odds and experts say, when it’s game time, any team can beat any team.
I know we’ll win, and for the first freaken time this season, we’ll have a highlight clip on INSIDE THE NFL, they’ve skipped us both weeks.
49ERS 27 PITTS 20