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Answers to Steelers Five Burning Questions week three versus 49ers

By Edward Hunt

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball past Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 and Steven Nelson #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball past Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 and Steven Nelson #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball in front of Tre Flowers #21 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Heinz Field on September 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball in front of Tre Flowers #21 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Heinz Field on September 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

How will the Steelers fare on the West Coast?

The Steelers did lose this game, but their start does not reflect that the travel hurt them. The Black & Gold went up 6-0 after the 49ers turned the ball over three times in three drives. This energy on defense suggests the Steelers were ready to play.

If there was a unit that was hurt by the distance, it was the offense. Pittsburgh only had 239 yards of total offense in the game. That includes the single touchdown pass to Juju Smith-Schuster which was 76 yards.

The big storyline was how the Steelers didn’t take advantage of points off turnovers. They only had six points off of the first four turnovers. Usually, the team that turns the ball over the most loses, but not in this game.

Will this defense be more consistent in week three?

This whole team is being blamed for the loss, but I don’t think the defense deserved to lose. TJ Watt had an interception. Stephon Tuitt had a nice sack. Minkah Fitzpatrick had an interception. The early part of the game culminated in four takeaways by the defense on four possessions.

I will say that man coverage was a bit of a struggle for the Steelers. Pittsburgh has traditionally been a zone coverage team and so adapting to the modern NFL has been a struggle. The Steelers have gotten high pedigree guys in the secondary, and so now it is time to adjust.

I liked that this defense was getting pressure. I saw a good game from Bud Dupree, and Ola Adeniyi had excellent pressure where the 49ers tried to take him out with a cut block. TJ Watt also had a nice game. I was happy with what I saw from our edge rushers.

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