UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
The Pittsburgh Steelers open a season at home for the first time since 2014 as they host the San Francisco 49ers, who have the second-highest Super Bowl odds in the NFC this season. It will be a meeting of the first (Kenny Picket) and last (Brock Purdy) quarterbacks taken in the 2022 draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs San Francisco 49ers – Game predictions
Contents
The Steelers are a 2.5-point home underdog with a total of 41.5 points. The spread has moved towards Pittsburgh (+1.5 at one point) throughout the week, but the 49ers should be favored by Sunday’s early kickoff.
Prediction 1: Steelers +2.5 @ -110 (1.91)
In the last two openers, the Steelers won on the road in Buffalo and Cincinnati as bigger underdogs than this. They should welcome the challenge of facing one of the best in the NFC, and the defense can put pressure on the young Brock Purdy, who did not face many quality defenses during his run last year. Pittsburgh has not allowed more than 17 points in 7 straight games, the team’s longest streak since 2001. As a home underdog, Mike Tomlin is 15-4-3 ATS (79%) since 2007, easily the NFL’s best record. He is also 13-9 SU in that spot. Trust the Steelers to do enough on both sides of the ball to cover this spread.
Prediction 2: Christian McCaffrey anytime touchdown scorer @ -110 (1.91)
The 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey during the season and he fit in almost instantly. But he also finished the season hot, scoring a touchdown in 9 straight games (playoffs included). McCaffrey is a threat on the ground and through the air, so the 49ers have a variety of ways to score with him. Pittsburgh’s defense is not elite like it used to be against running backs, so look for McCaffrey to keep his scoring streak going in this one. It is a safer pick than the over in his yardage props as you are never sure if Kyle Shanahan will use him as a receiver or runner more.
Steelers vs 49ers preview – Bosa or Watt?
Expectations should be for a defensive slugfest with T.J. Watt and Nick Bosa leading their respective units against young quarterbacks. But there are great skill players on both sides too.
Pittsburgh Steelers form, news and injuries
The Steelers have a tough AFC North battle ahead of them, but they were preseason darlings with the starting offense scoring a touchdown on all 5 of its August possessions. The team hopes improvement for its young players and an impressive draft haul will push them back to the playoffs after finishing as the No. 8 seed in 2022.
Pittsburgh Steelers injury report:
- DT Larry Ogunjobi (foot) is questionable
- DB Cory Trice Jr. (knee) is out
- RB Alfonzo Graham (shoulder) is out
- DT Renell Wren (Achilles) is out
San Francisco 49ers form, news and injuries
Nick Bosa became the highest-paid defender in NFL history this week, so he will be looking to outshine T.J. Watt as the last two Defensive Player of the Year winners take the field Sunday. But all eyes are on Brock Purdy to see if he can duplicate or improve on his rookie success for a Super Bowl contender.
San Francisco 49ers injury report:
- TE George Kittle (groin) is questionable
- S Tashaun Gipson (back) is questionable
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud (wrist) is questionable
- S Talanoa Hufanga (knee) is questionable
- RB Jordan Mason (foot) is questionable
- K Jake Moody (quads) is questionable
- LB Oren Burks (knee) is questionable
- OL Jon Feliciano (illness) is questionable
- TE Cameron Latu (knee) is out
- DL Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring) is out
- CB Darrell Luter Jr. (knee) is out
- WR Danny Gray (shoulder) is out
Steelers vs 49ers head to head record
The teams have only met 5 times since realignment in 2002 (home team won each game):
- 2019: 49ers won 24-20 in San Francisco
- 2015: Steelers won 43-18 in Pittsburgh
- 2011: 49ers won 20-3 in San Francisco
- 2007: Steelers won 37-16 in Pittsburgh
- 2003: 49ers won 30-14 in San Francisco
Key match details
- Date & Time: Sunday, September 10, 2023, 01:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA
- Where to watch match in UK: Sky Sports (TV), fuboTV, or other live stream
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!