San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49ers prediction and pick ahead of their Week 1 matchup on Sunday. Can Brock Purdy pick up where he left off last season? Or will Kenny Pickett pull off the upset?
Matt McCuen - September 10, 2023, 7:50 AM EDT
5 minSan Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
The San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will clash from Steel City as the two teams kick off the 2023 season.
49ers vs. Steelers Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: September 10, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction
The 49ers feel as if they have unfinished business to take care of. The 49ers won the NFC West a season and reached the NFC Championship game, where they would lose to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brock Purdy took the league by storm a season ago, going from Mr. Irrelevant to being the starting quarterback in the NFC Championship Game. Purdy won the starting job in the off-season as the team traded former first-round pick Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys.
Christian McCaffrey is one of the best running backs in all of football and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. San Francisco went out and added McCaffrey in a trade a season ago. McCaffery looked great in the Kyle Shannan system and is poised for a breakout season in 2023.
Deebo Samuel and Brandon Ayiuk are the top two options for Purdy in the passing game. Samuel is a dynamic weapon, as he can hurt you in both the rushing and passing game. Ayiuk delivered the best year of his young career in 2022, stringing together 1,015 yards receiving paired with eight receiving touchdowns.
San Francisco has the best defense in football. The 49ers ranked number one in defense a season ago, and you could make the argument that the defense got even better in the off-season with the addition of Javon Hargraves. Defensive end Nick Bosa inked a massive contract this week, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the history of the NFL.
The Steelers will be led by one of the best coaches in football, Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is yet to have a losing season as a head coach in fourteen years. Additionally, Tomlin has a Super Bowl ring on his resume.
Kenny Pickett will lead the Pittsburgh offense. This will be the first full season as a starter for Pickett, who took over midway through the season in 2022. Pickett showed flashes of being a franchise quarterback but will have to cut down on his turnovers.
Najee Harris will lead the Pittsburgh backfield. Harris has rushed for 2,334 yards and fourteen touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL.
George Pickens has gotten a lot of hype after a strong pre-season. Pickens will be in his second year and has the opportunity to be the number one option for Pickett. Pickens caught fifty-one balls for eight hundred-one yards as a rookie.
The Steelers added veteran Allen Robinson in the off-season, who will look to bounce back after a poor showing a season ago.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Pick
San Francisco is the best defense in football.
The Steelers will struggle to move the ball versus this 49ers defense.
Pittsburgh will look to run the ball early, which will favor the under as the clock will be moving early on.
The 49ers offense has dynamic playmakers, but I am still not sold on Brock Purdy.
The Steelers have a top-ten defense in football and will limit Purdy and the 49ers in this game.
- Pick: 49ers/Steelers under 42 -120 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NFL Odds
