49ers vs. Steelers: Full San Francisco Game Preview

The last time the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers squared off was on Monday, December 19, 2011, and the 49ers wound up beating the Steelers 20-3 in a prime-time contest at Candlestick Park.

And so much has changed since then.

Aside from the ironic score comparison against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 on Monday Night Football, very few elements remain of that 49ers team that dominated the Steelers in what seems like a lifetime ago.

San Francisco has a new coaching staff, a new stadium and an overwhelming crop of new players—many of whom are entering new roles in this 2015 NFL season.

Playing on Monday night puts the 49ers at a disadvantage given the short week and travel. Pittsburgh also benefits from the added days off following its Week 1 28-21 loss versus the New England Patriots on September 10.

Still, the 49ers are riding a brief wave of momentum following their promising victory over the Vikings. The challenge only gets more difficult from here as San Francisco looks to take on a Pittsburgh team eager to bounce back from its own Week 1 setback.

Let's break down this enticing matchup and try to determine which team comes out on top in Week 2.

Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Week 1 Results and Recap

Anytime a team's running back bursts for 168 yards and two touchdowns, there is a good chance that team is going to win the game.

Such was the case for the 49ers as running back Carlos Hyde exploded in his first contest as San Francisco's new featured back. Hyde's nifty spin move on his first touchdown score was only part of the story as San Francisco's new offensive bell cow averaged 6.5 yards per carry.

Rather surprisingly, the 49ers offensive line—seemingly a weakness prior to the season—held up well and allowed Hyde to amass those yards. The O-line adequately protected quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was sacked just once.

Kaepernick had a so-so game, finishing with 17 completions on 26 attempts for 165 yards. Despite not throwing any touchdown passes, he did avoid any costly turnovers and generally looked far more comfortable within the pocket.

Defensively, the 49ers shut down Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and limited him to a mere 31 yards on 10 carries.

The 49ers sacked Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater five times, and he never looked totally comfortable against San Francisco's seemingly relentless defense.

There were some ugly moments despite the 20-3 win, though.

Special teams play was ugly, especially early on. Minnesota blocked an early field-goal attempt by kicker Phil Dawson and nearly returned it or a touchdown. Rookie running back Jarryd Hayne muffed a punt return on his first regular-season touch, and a series of penalties also marked San Francisco's efforts here and beyond.

Still, the prime-time 20-3 win marks a positive step in this first season of new head coach Jim Tomsula's reign.

News and Notes

Carlos Hyde's Big Night

One could have wondered whether or not Hyde would be able to replicate the same production of all-time franchise rushing leader Frank Gore. But Monday night was an all-out indication of good times on the horizon.

Hyde was the offense for San Francisco on Monday. And he certainly seems to benefit from the new zone-blocking scheme employed by the 49ers O-line.

"I loved it," Hyde said of the new scheme, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News. "I felt I was back at Ohio State tonight. I felt good."

Expect Pittsburgh's defense to try to clamp down on Hyde's potential in Week 2. And look for him to attempt to overcome the adjustments.

Jarryd Hayne's Not-So-Stellar Debut

Hayne may have been the NFL story of the preseason, but the Australian former rugby star may want to put some of his early regular-season memories behind him.

His first touch was a muffed punt, which led to some comical blogging from one Australian-based writer (h/t ESPN.com).

An early injury to No. 2 back Reggie Bush presented some rushing opportunities for Hayne. He didn't break out with any highlight-reel run as was the case in the preseason, but he did finish with four carries for 13 yards—a modest 3.3 yards per attempt.

We'll see if Hayne graces the active roster in Pittsburgh depending on Bush's status.

Defense Shines

Despite all the offseason turnover, the 49ers defense looks to be in good shape after one week. 

San Francisco's efforts under defensive coordinator Eric Mangini netted five sacks and one interception while allowing just 248 yards of total offense.

Safety Antoine Bethea led the way with seven tackles, one sack and a defended pass. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman also had seven tackles plus a quarterback takedown. 

The defense made life hell for Bridgewater and Minnesota's offense, especially on third down. The Vikings converted just one third-down attempt on nine tries. 

Latest Injury News

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Reggie Bush saw only a brief stint in Week 1 before coming out with a first-quarter injury.

Player	Position	Injury
Kendall Hunter (IR)	RB	Knee
DeAndre Smelter (NFI)	WR	Knee
Dres Anderson (IR)	WR	Knee
Daniel Kilgore (PUP)	C	Ankle
Jerome Simpson (Suspended)	WR
Reggie Bush (Questionable)	RB	Calf

The 49ers only suffered one notable injury in Week 1.

Bush injured his calf after rushing for eight yards on two carries in the first half and had to be carted off the field.

The injury doesn't seem to be serious, though.

"They’re going to send him down to get tested," Tomsula noted about Bush's condition, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News (h/t Michael Hurcomb of CBS Sports). "He looked good. He’s not running yet but he looks fine."

It's entirely possible Bush doesn't suit up on Sunday versus the Steelers. If he's unable to go, look for rookie running back Mike Davis to be active for the contest.

All injury statuses courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

Key Matchups

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Carlos Hyde will be a focal point for Pittsburgh's defense Sunday.

Carlos Hyde vs. Steelers Run Defense

Just because Hyde ran wild over the Vikings defense doesn't necessarily mean he'll do so again versus the Steelers.

Pittsburgh allowed 80 rushing yards to the Patriots in Week 1. Granted, New England is a pass-first offense, but the added time should allow head coach Mike Tomlin and Co. to make the defensive adjustments.

"I didn't need to learn a lot about Carlos," Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier said of his former Ohio State teammate, per CBS Sports. "I kind of knew he was going to do that. I worked out with him a little bit this offseason and I just knew that he had a big year in store for him."

Shazier may be heavily involved with trying to bottle up Hyde on Sunday.

49ers Pass Rush vs. Ben Roethlisberger

San Francisco made Bridgewater look vulnerable on Monday night. The same will need to happen against Ben Roethlisberger in Week 2.

According to Eric Branch of SFGate.com, Tomlin pointed out how the 49ers secondary wasn't tested much because of their front-seven effectiveness last week: "I don't think they were challenged because of what was going on up front."

The 49ers pass rush was a clear reason behind the Vikings' lack of production on offense. And Roethlisberger will be this unit's next target.

He will have to make do without wide receiver Martavis Bryant and running back Le'Veon Bell—both of whom will be serving suspensions in Week 2. Combine that with the loss of injured center Maurkice Pouncey and 32-year-old running back DeAngelo Williams getting the bulk of the carries, and Roethlisberger may have to handle a heavy burden.

Look for Mangini's defense to try to prevent Roethlisberger from getting into any sort of rhythm.

Colin Kaepernick vs. Steelers Secondary

Kaepernick may have put forth a relatively pedestrian effort against Minnesota. But with the Steelers likely to pay more attention to Hyde, the 49ers signal-caller will be expected to carry his share of the offensive load.

San Francisco's wide receivers were scantly involved in the process on Monday. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin had 36 receiving yards on four receptions, and wideout Torrey Smith netted just one catch for 11 yards.

Pittsburgh's secondary gave up 281 passing yards to the Patriots in Week 1. But New England has the benefit of the Tom-Brady-to-Rob-Gronkowski connection. San Francisco has nothing like this.

Still, Kaepernick will have to build upon his positives from Week 1: moving through his progressions, remaining poised in the pocket and smartly delivering the ball to the open man.

If he can find Smith for a couple of deep chances, plays should open up for Boldin and the remaining crop of receiving targets underneath.

All that's needed is the proper execution.

Matchup X-Factors

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Look for the 49ers to get tight end Vernon Davis involved as much as possible.

49ers X-Factor of the Week: Vernon Davis

Again, the 49ers don't benefit from players such as Brady and Gronkowski—both of whom torched the Steelers defense in an array of mismatched coverages and missed assignments.

But the film could reveal how Pittsburgh may be vulnerable in tight end coverage. 

If the Steelers are focused on stopping Hyde, and if Smith can produce on some deep passes, tight end Vernon Davis could wind up having quite an impact.

He led all 49ers receivers with 47 yards on Monday night. Those aren't whopping numbers by any means, but they reveal how San Francisco is, at least, trying to involve him on offense more than what was seen during his lackluster 2014 campaign.

Despite the 31-year-old veteran's age, Davis remains a good mismatch on offense. And creating mismatches is the key at the pro level.

He has 10 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown in two career games against Pittsburgh. 

And, if not Davis, the 49ers could also try mixing in some of their other tight ends to try to disguise the rushing attack while opening up additional passing opportunities for Kaepernick.

Prediction: Steelers 24, 49ers 17

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Head coach Jim Tomsula returns to his native Pennsylvania to take on the Steelers in Week 2.

San Francisco has to be feeling good about its chances after trouncing the Vikings in Week 1.

The outcome may be a surprise to some, but traveling on a short week to take on the Steelers in Week 2 presents an even more difficult challenge.

Pittsburgh will assuredly benefit from the added days off after playing on September 10, while the 49ers have to contend with a short week and extensive travel back east. Such a scenario doesn't bode well for San Francisco.

On top of that, Tomlin is 8-1 in home openers, per CBS Sports. The Steelers also posted a 6-2 regular-season record at home during the 2014 season.

Pittsburgh not having Bryant and Bell plays into the 49ers' hands. Those absences will put more pressure on Roethlisberger to connect with his other targets while remaining upright throughout the game. 

Still, Big Ben is a quarterback who can make subpar receivers look good. And he'll have to do so against a solid 49ers defense.

Pittsburgh still has the edge here given the added time off. Niners radio broadcaster Ted Robinson noted that this break was, essentially, almost like a bye week when he spoke with Ray Woodson on KNBR 680 earlier this week.

Let's hope this prediction is wrong and the 49ers continue to turn heads. 

Prediction: Steelers 24, 49ers 17

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist covering the San Francisco 49ers for Bleacher Report. Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.