The San Francisco 49ers seemed to have had some leftover frustration from their offseason Sunday afternoon — and decided to use the Pittsburgh Steelers as their punching bag.
The Niners steamrolled the Steelers in a 30-7 knockout at Acrisure Stadium.
The 49ers dominated with quarterback Brock Purdy completing 19-of-29 passes for 220 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, and running back Christian McCaffrey’s 151 rushing yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.
The Steelers defense couldn’t muster an answer for the opposing offense. The Steelers offense also could not get going as quarterback Kenny Pickett threw two interceptions and was sacked five times.
Here’s what they’re saying in San Francisco:
49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams told Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle that he was getting gassed throughout the first half because of the Niners’ offensive domination.
“At one point,” Williams said, “you just kind of wanted (the Steelers) to get a first down. There were all those three-and-outs and we kind of needed a break.”
Kyle Madson of NinersWire praised the Niners’ offense for utilizing multiple “weapons in their arsenal.”
“When San Francisco is spreading the wealth on offense they’re going to be extremely hard to stop,” Madson wrote.
Jose Luiz Sanches of FanNation echoed the sentiment.
“The Steelers had ZERO answers for the 49ers,” he wrote. “They were steamrolled all game long and were completely dismantled.”
Aiyuk brings in the first 49ers’ touchdown of the season ????
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 10, 2023
pic.twitter.com/kcdUXYY8Se
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports gave wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk a shout for an outstanding opening performance.
“(Aiyuk) looked like the 49ers’ best player during training camp, and he carried it over into the Week 1 game,” Maiocco wrote.
Maiocco continued on to applaud for the Niners’ on the road performance.
“This was a difficult assignment to go on the road and face the Steelers, but the 49ers made it look easy, as it appeared as if they were playing at a speed the Steelers simply could not match,” he wrote.
Peter King with NBC’s Pro Football Talk gave the Niners attaboys, saying they “went into Pittsburgh for an early game, rushed for 188 yards, played efficiently and mistake-free in the passing game.”
“That’s the way the Steelers have traditionally played. On Sunday, the 49ers beat the Steelers at their own game,” King wrote.
Related:
• Airing of Grievances: Steelers look outmatched, ill-prepared vs. 49ers during regular season reality check• Madden Monday: In opener, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett was less like 'Big Ken,' more like 'Bubby Pickett'
• First Call: Brock Purdy responds to Patrick Peterson's suggestion his offense has 'tells;' Ravens costly injury; Browns big win
