What we learned from Steelers disgraceful Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers
By Eric Hassel
The Steelers defense was porous and feckless against the 49ers offense
OK, I know I used the word 'feckless' to describe the offense, but, frankly, it is an accurate description of the Steelers defense that allowed the 49ers offense to amass nearly four hundred yards, over two hundred of which came via the passing game and nearly two hundred of which came via the running game.
Coupled with the fact that the 49ers possessed the ball for thirty-seven minutes and 'change' and scored thirty points, the defense had no answers for the 49ers offense. T.J. Watt was the only bright spot on defense.
Watt got 'home' three times, had two forced fumbles, and recovered a fumble. While it's encouraging that Watt is off to a great start to the season, the rest of the defense really did not do anything extraordinary.
I am certainly not suggesting that no one else tried as hard as Watt tried, it's just that Watt produced in the manner in which he usually does, but I think it's fair to say that one player can't be the only consistent performer.
Let's see what else we learned.