Steelers Handle 49ers 43-18: Analysis and Recap

Steelers Handle 49ers 43-18: Analysis and Recap

By: Bradley Stewart

          Although I did not watch the game, I was receiving score updates on my phone.  I was very impressed with the way the Steelers played this game.  This is my analysis. 

Offense:  

          I'm obviously not going to spend much time describing our offensive effort.  I mean when you put up 43 points there's not much explaining to do on the offensive end.  Yes, this was against the 49ers defense that was shattered this offseason, but anytime you put up 43 points it's terrific.  What may be the most impressive part of this offensive performance is that Pittsburgh had a total of 453 yards with just of twenty-three minutes of possession of the football.  That total is nearly fourteen minutes less than San Francisco's.  Up to this point in the season, the Steelers have racked up a total of 917 yards, which is the most in the NFL.  Pittsburgh has also averaged 32 points per game.  That's good for third in the NFL.  This is all without All-Pro runningback, Le'veon Bell.  This offense can only get better with the Steelers getting Bell back this week and the play-making wide receiver Martavis Bryant.  The sky's the limit and Roethlisberger's goal of 30 points per game is definitely within reach.

Defense:

         The issue for Week One for the Pittsburgh Steelers was their defense.  Their defense held the Niners to only eighteen points.  There were two things that concerned me about the Steelers defense in Week 2.  Pittsburgh may have won the game, but lost in both of these categories.  The most concerning of these two is yards allowed.  Pittsburgh gave up 409 yards against San Francisco.  It was almost as if, the 49ers just couldn't score.  It is obvious they were moving the ball, they just couldn't punch it in.  This could be to the injury of Carlos Hyde, but it appears the Steelers defense will stop any average offense, but not any good offense. The second concerning thing about the defensive effort was San Francisco's thirty-seven minutes time of possession.  Hopefully, you get where I am going here.  In order to score points, you need to have the FOOTBALL!  If the Steelers defense can get these numbers down, the offense will have more opportunities to score more points.  One sort-of concerning thing about Pittsburgh's defense was the lone turnover.  Now the fact that the Steelers won the game is good, but the Steeler's need to take advantage of every opportunity then can get and they need to force more turnovers, especially when the offense makes a mistake.  Overall, I am greatly pleased with the defensive effort, there is still work to be done, but if they repeat this performance it won't be enough.

Special Teams:

           The main thing about this special teams is the two-point conversions.  I am strongly for going for two.  The fact that our kicker missed an extra point against the 49ers only strengthens my case.  Ben Roethlisberger says that the Steelers will continue to go for two, which I agree with.  Pittsburgh has practiced it during Training Camp and practices plays every day.  They have specific sets and plays for two-points conversions, which will make them tough to prepare for.  The Steelers went two for two on two-point conversions and they stopped, because the game was getting out of hand.  Look for more two-point conversions to come.

What's Up Next? Sunday, September 27, 1:00 PM EST, @St. Louis Rams (1-1)