Mike Tomlin led the Steelers to a 7-2 close to the 2022 season, and the team is looking to build on that in 2023.
The Steelers missed out on the playoffs, but the 9-8 finish was encouraging because of the quarterback that led them to it. Kenny Pickett enters Year 2 as a breakout candidate and he may need to have a big breakout because the AFC North is one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.
The San Francisco 49ers are all in on Brock Purdy after he took them to the NFC Championship Game last year. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch moved on from Jimmy Garroppolo and Trey Lance, so their Week 1 starter is a former Mr. Irrelevant.
San Francisco is favored on the road and I'll give you my pick, but you should also check out BetSided NFL analyst Iain MacMillan's Week 1 best bets for his pick.
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49ers vs. Steelers odds, spread and total
Steelers vs. 49ers betting trends
- Steelers are 2-0 straight up as underdog in last two Week 1’s
- Steelers went 10-6-1 ATS in 2022
- The UNDER went 10-7 in Pittsburgh’s games in 2022
- 49ers went 13-7 ATS in 2022
- The OVER went 10-10 in San Francisco’s games in 2022
49ers vs. Steelers injury reports
49ers injury report
- George Kittle TE: Questionable (undisclosed)
- Nick Bosa DE: Questionable (contract)
- Ray-Ray McCloud II WR: Out (wrist)
Steelers injury report
- Cameron Heyward DL: Questionable (undisclosed)
- James Daniels G: Questionable (undisclosed)
49ers vs. Steelers How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 10
- Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium
- How to Watch (TV): FOX
- 49ers Record: 0-0
- Steelers Record: 0-0
49ers vs. Steelers key player to watch
49ers
Brock Purdy: Last year, Purdy was the breakout star for San Francisco after their slew of quarterback injuries, but then the injury bug bit him in the NFC Championship game. Purdy missed the offseason with his elbow injury, but did see some preseason action. The balance of power in the NFC will be decided by how Mr. Irrelevant plays in Year 2.
Steelers
Kenny Pickett: I mean we have to start with the second year starting quarterbacks. Purdy got his team to the NFC Championship game last year, though Pickett missed the playoffs last year, he had the perfect offseason. Not only did he get married, but he also posted a perfect passer rating across three preseason games and in his five drives of the preseason he led the Steelers to five touchdowns.
49ers vs. Steelers Prediction and Pick
There’s a trend that’s been developing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They win games they’re not supposed to, especially early in the season. Well, in Week 1 to be specific.
In 2021, the Steelers went into Buffalo and beat Josh Allen’s Bills, then last season they beat Joe Burrow’s Bengals in Cincinnati. They start the season at home this year, but are underdogs to Brock Purdy’s 49ers.
Mike Tomlin recently said that you can’t box without sparing and the Steelers did some really good sparing in the preseason. Pittsburgh went 3-0 this preseason and Kenny Pickett and the offense looked great. That unit was the missing piece last year and they’ll be firing on all cylinders in Week 1.
The 49ers may not get off to as fast of a start. Purdy missed all offseason with his elbow injury and that’s exactly how the Steelers beat Burrow last year. Burrow missed the offseason with an appendectomy and threw four interceptions. The Steelers came out ready to play and did a great job confusing him with different looks in the secondary.
Purdy may have looked great as Shanahan’s puppet last season, but he’s not Jimmy Garropolo, he will take risks and try to make plays. That will play right in the hands of this revamped Steelers defense.
The Kyle Shanahan offense does everything to take advantage of the middle of the field and with Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, and Kwon Alexander as the new improved inside linebacker group the Steelers will be able to defend that area much better than last season.
I love everything about this Steelers roster, and Pickett is better than Purdy and much more ready for the year. Give me the Steelers outright as an underdogs for the third straight Week 1.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change