Mike's Beer Bar War Room: Loaded 49ers will test confident Steelers

The 49ers are coming to Pittsburgh for Week 1 of the NFL season. This is a team that presents a fantastic challenge for the Steelers, who are coming off an extremely encouraging offseason and preseason. 

Not only were the 49ers a final four team last year, but they were eliminated in Philadelphia after simply running out of capable quarterbacks. Before that loss, San Francisco had a 12-game winning streak. Not only that, but San Francisco boasted the NFL’s best regular season scoring differential, outscoring their collective opponents by a whopping 173 points. 

The 49ers had the NFL’s best turnover differential as well and were at the top of the league in time of possession. However, by Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA), the 49ers played the second easiest schedule in the league last season, and played just five games against an opponent that finished the season with a winning record. 

Again, this is a very challenging first opponent for the Steelers for many reasons. Let’s examine both side of the ball in more detail. 

WHEN STEELERS HAVE POSSESSION

The Steelers' offense had its share of faults last year, but based on a consistent running game, things turned around on this side of the ball after the bye in Week 9. The foundation was poured during the second half of the season and, don’t forget, the Steelers had the youngest (but also the healthiest) offense in the entire league last season. It sure looks as though Kenny Pickett is progressing rapidly and the same can be said for the offense as a whole. But, what challenges do the 49ers present?

First off, Nick Bosa, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is in contention as the best edge rusher on the planet, Fred Warner is the NFL’s best off-ball linebacker and San Francisco added former Steeler Javon Hargrave -- who is coming off a tremendous season with the Eagles -- to an already great defense.

But, as of this writing, Bosa’s situation is very unclear as he continues his holdout. Even if Bosa were to sign a new contract, it is unlikely that he would be prepared to handle a full workload in Week 1. But, when/if Bosa is on the field, the Steelers will surely roll protection in his direction. 

The Steelers might get a break and not have to face Bosa, or even just see him on somewhat of a snap count. Just look at Bosa’s stance and imagine trying to even get your body in that position. He gets off the ball like few others in recent memory. Bosa has it all: Speed, technique, leverage, you name it. But on this play, he just uses brute power from a very Wide 9 alignment. Bosa pretty much lifts the Bears’ left tackle off his feet and plants him into his own quarterback. 

The Steelers' offense played 89% of their snaps last year out of 11 Personnel (1 RB/1 TE) or 12 Personnel (1 RB/ 2 TE), and their usage of 12 Personnel spiked dramatically after the Chase Claypool trade. We should expect a more diverse usage of personnel groupings, as well as a larger group of skill position players seeing the field than last year. 

San Francisco has a new defensive coordinator in Steve Wilks, but it would be a big surprise if they didn’t continue many of their trends from last year. Because of Warner’s immense abilities (particularly against the pass) and the 49ers' excellent play overall on the second level, this defense should play a high percentage of their snaps in their nickel package. San Francisco also blitzes very little, although that could change if Bosa isn’t in the mix. 

The Steelers absolutely must get better at creating explosive plays. The preseason (as well as training camp practices) indicate that could be coming to fruition. The grouping of Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and others do have an advantage over the 49ers' secondary. 

As for the run game, it won’t be easy for the Steelers. San Francisco’s defense allowed just 3.4 yards per rush attempt, tied with the Titans for tops in the league. And, only the Titans gave up fewer rushing yards per game. 5.9% of the rushing attempts against the 49ers gained 10+ yards. That was best in the NFL. San Francisco also allowed the lowest percentage of runs gaining at least 20 yards and didn’t give up a run over 30 yards all year. And now Hargrave is in the middle of San Francisco’s defensive front. Don’t expect explosives to come from the Steelers' ground game. 

WHEN 49ERS HAVE POSSESSION

Kyle Shanahan is a masterful designer of offense and playcaller on this side of the ball. He manipulates defenses as well as anyone in the NFL right now with a high usage of pre-snap motion, as well as making many plays look extremely similar to one another. Shanahan puts the middle-of-the-field defenders in great conflict, and that is where the 49ers' attack in the passing game is like few other offenses in the league. And how about this: The 49ers have led the NFL in yards after the catch now for five years running! The Steelers' defense was very good last year with their overall tackling, as well as limiting after the catch production, but this is a rare test. 

Moreso than most NFL offenses, the 49ers will play a very high percentage of their snaps with Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk as their five skill position players, which makes sense as San Francisco boasts the best skill talent in the entire league. This is the best fivesome (including Cincinnati) the Steelers' defense will play against all year. 

This offense was really jumpstarted after their midseason trade last year for McCaffrey. Over his career, McCaffrey averages 113.1 yards from scrimmage per game. Only five players average more in the history of the NFL.

This is one of just so many examples of how McCaffrey can wreak havoc on opposing defenses. In this instance, he lines up as a true outside wide receiver, beats Tampa’s defensive back right from the snap, and then contorts to a poorly thrown ball for a long 49ers’ touchdown. He’s deadly. 

Versatility is the key with these five. McCaffrey is probably the best receiving back in the league. Juszczyk might not seem threatening, but he does everything well. With Juszczyk, think of a more established, veteran version of Connor Heyward. Kittle is the best combination of receiving, blocking and after-the-catch ability at the tight end position right now. Samuel can carry the football if needed, and is a demon with the ball in his hands. Aiyuk shouldn't be forgotten about, as he is poised for a breakout season as a great overall talent and route runner. 

All these weapons are phenomenal attacking between 10-20 yards downfield, particularly between the numbers. And it just so happens that is where Brock Purdy does his best work as well. Purdy isn’t a great deep passer and is drastically worse when dealing with pressure. It will be imperative for the Steelers to crowd the middle of the field, tackle well and force Purdy to “play left-handed” as much as possible. 

Generating pressure without blitzing, although Purdy’s numbers vs. the blitz were very lackluster last year, will be a huge key to slowing down a San Francisco offense that averaged 5.9 yards per play. On three offenses were better. And, things should get a bit easier if Kittle doesn't play due to a lingering groin injury.

Trent Williams, San Francisco’s left tackle, is the best offensive lineman in the league and a future Hall of Famer. Shanahan will leave Williams alone on Alex Highsmith, and with all respect to Highsmith, that one-on-one matchup clearly favors San Francisco. The problem for the 49ers will be if the other four offensive linemen, along with some help from Juszczyk and possibly Kittle, can handle the other Steelers pass-rushers. The non-Williams linemen are very average…and that might be being kind. It will be very difficult to help on both T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward. 

Still, San Francisco averaged 8.0 yards per pass attempt. That was best in the NFL last year. 

Of course, the 49ers also run the ball very well. Only two offenses ran the ball a higher percentage of the time (57%) on first downs than San Francisco. If the Steelers can consistently win on first downs against San Francisco’s rushing attack, they can dial up the heat on Purdy on later downs. 

The 49ers should have a difficult time getting multiple blockers on Watt and Heyward, and the Steelers will need plays like this from Heyward, particularly on first down. Watch how Heyward immediately demolishes Miami’s left guard and throws him out of the club with zero hesitation and extreme violence. Miami’s running back then stands no chance against Heyward’s penetration. 

Overall, the 49ers once again look like one of the best teams in the NFL. It's perhaps the most complete roster in the league. This will be a very stiff test for the Steelers in what should be a very enjoyable and telling contest for the home team.