Match-up of the Game

After a marvelous debut on Monday Night Football, the San Francisco 49ers get put to the test against the lethal offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pittsburgh Steelers feature 2-time Super Bowl Champion Ben Roethlisberger and the reigning Receiving Title Holder, Antonio Brown. The Steelers finished last season 2nd in offense yardage and in the top 10 in offensive scoring. The 49ers are coming off an outstanding defensive effort against the Minnesota Vikings, where they sacked Teddy Bridgewater 5 times and gave up only 3 points. Receiving great performances from Navarro Bowman, Aaron Lynch, and Antoine Bethea, the 49ers gave Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson all they could handle. The challenge comes, as the 49ers will have to travel 2600 miles on a short week to face the Steelers who are having their home opener. Mike Tomlin is 7-1 in home openers. Match-up of The Game Antonio Brown vs Tramaine Brock/Kenneth Acker It wasn’t long ago, where Antonio Brown was an undersized 6th round pick from Central Michigan but in the last 2 seasons, he’s taken the league by storm. He’s had over 3000 receiving yards in the past 2 seasons and has a 34 game streak of over 5 receptions and 50 yards. In comparison the 2014 49ers’ receiving corp had 16 games of this feat combined: Boldin with 9, Crabtree with 4, and Johnson with 3. Antonio Brown’s going to be one of the most talented players on the field on Sunday but the 49ers have to figure out a way to limit him. Kenneth Acker, who had an outstanding game on Monday, will be the corner shadowing Brown for most of the game. It’s going to be a tough challenge for a corner who is only making his 2nd start of his career. Like Brown was, Acker is a former 6th round pick looking for a chance to prove himself. Expect the 49ers to try to keep Eric Reid over the top of Brown, but this becomes difficult as Brown lines up at the X, Y, and slot receiving positions. Honorable Mentions 1. Erik Pears vs Jarvis Jones/James Harrison The right side of the offensive line is an area of concern for the San Francisco 49ers. Although the overall offensive line played very well this last Monday night vs the good Vikings front-7, there are still question marks protecting the passer. Look for the 49ers to use more 3 Tight End sets and play action in order to counter the pass rush of Jarvis Jones and James Harrison from the right side. 2. Carlos Hyde vs Ryan Shazier Carlos Hyde is coming off his monstrous performance on Monday night where he ran for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns. Steelers are coming off a performance where they allowed Dion Lewis, a running back that hasn’t played a regular season game since 2012, 69 yards on 15 carries and 51 yards on 5 receptions. Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons will have to do a much better job in slowing down the run game. 3. Eric Mangini vs Ben Roethlisberger Without the Steeler’s best offensive lineman, Maurkice Pouncey, expect Eric Mangini to bring the complex pressures to create a hectic pass-rush from the 49ers defense. Against the Vikings, Mangini sent Jaquiski Tartt, Tramaine Brock, Antoine Bethea, and Navarro Bowman to the Teddy Bridgewater at different times to create confusion and constant pressure that made the young quarterback’s night very difficult. Although Ben Roethlisberger has much more experience than Bridgewater, his mobility and escape ability isn’t what it once was. Expect Eric Mangini and the 49ers to test this.