5 reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers will win in Week 1 vs. the San Francisco 49ers
By Cory Rogers
The Steelers are confident heading into this game
It may seem strange since Pittsburgh didn’t make the playoffs and San Francisco nearly advanced to the Super Bowl last season, but the Steelers enter this season-opener for both teams with the most confidence.
After a full off-season of work as the team’s starter, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett has seemingly improved his arm strength and his mental approach. His numbers in the pre-season (13-of-15, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 0 Int., and a perfect 158.3 QB Rating) were off the charts as he led the Steelers to touchdowns on all five drives with the first-team offense.
Embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada is surely feeling more confident in this, his third season in that role. If the pre-season is any indication, he’s going to take the training wheels off Pickett and open the offense up.
Establishing the running game with the 1-2 punch of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will be key. Four of the five starters on the offensive line return, with one newcomer -- a good one in former Philadelphia guard, Isaac Seumalo. Rookie TE Darnell Washington will also aid as a sixth offensive lineman in certain situations.
Pickett has some serious weapons to throw to when it comes time to put the ball in the air. Starting wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, as well as TE Pat Freiermuth, return to the lineup, while veteran newcomer Allen Robinson II will man the slot. The speedy Calvin Austin III and the versatile Connor Heyward should also see plenty of action.
The Steelers return a trio of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball in edge rusher T.J. Watt (2021 NFL Defensive Player-of-the-Year), defensive lineman Cam Heyward, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fellow returning starters Alex Highsmith (14.5 sacks last season), Larry Ogunjobi, and Levi Wallace add to a group that hopes to pressure Purdy into mistakes.