The 49ers Learn From History in Their Win Over the Steelers

In recent years, the 49ers stumbled out of the gate with sub-.500 records after five to seven games and it has cost them the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs. Deebo Samuel said the team wants to win early to get the No. 1 seed this year, and they’re off to a good start with a dominant 30-7 win over Pittsburgh.

For the first time since 2019, Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers are playing for January in September. This 2023 team is showing some parallels on a mix of running and the short passing game on offense; and collapsing the pocket from the middle on defense.

Game Balls

After each game, I will hand out four game balls. There were many worthy contributors to this win. I put this quartet at the top.

Brandon Aiyuk – A career-high 129 yards, the fifth time in his career he’s gone over 100 yards in a game. Aiyuk left a slipping Patrick Peterson for his first touchdown, made a perfect catch on a perfect back-shoulder throw from Brock Purdy for his 2nd, and set up a third in a withering block on Christian McCaffrey’s 65-yard TD run. The camp reports said Aiyuk has taken it up a level, here’s the proof.

Christian McCaffrey – 169 yards in total offense, his 152 on the ground is the 4th highest game of his career. McCaffrey is the engine of the offense and the primary reason the team is scoring in the 30s regularly. As a result, maintaining CMC’s health is paramount.

For a stretch in the 4th quarter up 20 points, Shanahan called nine touches in ten plays for McCaffrey. Shanahan must improve at rotations and usage. This is not sustainable and it’s reckless.

Kyle Shanahan – Other than milking McCaffrey late, Shanahan was brilliant. His team was ready from kickoff, execution was crisp and confident, and targets were schemed wide open. In past years the offense had to find its way through the early games. Since engineering the McCaffrey trade, the Niners know exactly who they are on offense – one of the very best in the league.

Arik Armstead – Finally healthy, Armstead was a wrecking ball, consistently flushing Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett out of the pocket - and into turnovers or Drake Jackson.

In 2019 with DeForest Buckner, the Niners' interior pass rush collapsed the pocket or forced double teams. With Armstead healthy and the signing of Javon Hargrave, they have that formula back, and Pickett cracked.

Penalty Flags

Colton McKivitz – Steelers edge T.J. Watt had three sacks, including a strip sack that Purdy fumbled and lost. McKivitz had more success in the first half when the team was adept at avoiding 3rd and long.

It seems that McKivitz got tired in the second half, he was out of position for the Watt sacks. A possible solution would be to platoon him, but the Niner depth can’t fill that role. This is T.J. Watt All-Pro but the season may come down to McKivitz in pass protection against Haason Reddick 2nd-Team All-Pro.

Spencer Burford – Three penalties: holding, a face mask, and offsides. Some great blocks in the running game though.

Team Takeaways

The value of continuity.

Unlike recent years, the team came into the year with no changes and no uncertainty at starting quarterback. They knew what to expect in Purdy, that Shanahan would scheme the receivers open and Purdy would hit them with precise timing.

4/5ths of the offensive line is intact, where continuity is key to success. All of the weapons are back. As a result, no slow start for the offense struggling to find its identity this year. No reinventing the wheel, no big adjustments, the offense could hit the ground running - and played like it. Immediately.

On defense, coordinator Steve Wilks faced many unknowns with the starters not playing together until Pittsburgh, but he applied a similar approach. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Let the investment in the line set up the defense and roll with the same coverages and similar blitz packages.

In 2019 the Niners collapsed the interior pocket to take a quarterback out of his timing and rhythm. Now every 2023 opponent going forward will have to deal with the same thing. Quarterbacks who struggle in muddy pockets throw off-target and can turn the ball over. Pickett in this game, Dak Prescott in last year's playoffs.

The value of the big investment in the defensive line is reflected in the numbers against Pittsburgh. Seven points, six three-play drives, five sacks, nine hits, eight tackles for loss, and 30 pressures on 51 dropbacks (per NextGen Stats).

I thought the defense would need to find its way over the course of the game. It took the Steelers 28 minutes and 44 seconds to get a first down.

The team’s focus and mindset reveal a heightened readiness.

The players know they have a shot at the No. 1 seed, they know it’s their best path back to the Super Bowl, and they played like a team on a mission. They came to Pittsburgh ready. Distractions, Nick Bosa signs last minute, no problem. The game was over in the 2nd quarter.

Another benefit of their focus and mindset is that it builds on itself. Initial success creates additional motivation to keep it going.

For the first time in the Shanahan Era, this team looks hungry for hardware. Their focus and execution speak to a team that wants more than a Final Four appearance this year.

It’s just one game, key weaknesses remain, and they have a long way to go, but it’s a promising start.