Biggest Takeaways from San Francisco 49ers' Week 2 Loss

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick played well against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his performance doesn’t qualify as one of the San Francisco 49ers’ top-five takeaways from Week 2.

You’ve got to remember, most of Kaepernick’s production came in the second half when the game was more or less over. Until the fourth quarter, the score was 29-3, Steelers on top.

During the second half, the Niners kept running the ball—essentially running down the clock on themselves. They never made an earnest effort to get back in the game. It seemed they were trying to get their offense in rhythm for Week 3.

With that in mind, here are the Niners' biggest takeaways from Week 2.

The Niners Have One Good Running Back, and He’s Banged-Up

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Week 1, starting running back Carlos Hyde basically was the 49ers offense. He rushed 26 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns and set up San Francisco’s play-action passing game.

But Hyde wasn’t nearly as effective Week 2 against the Steelers. He gained only 43 yards on 13 carries. Clearly, Pittsburgh game-planned to stop him.

The Steelers hurt him, too. Hyde took a shot to the thigh in the first quarter and left the game for a couple of plays. Later, he took a shot to the head and left the game to get evaluated for a concussion. Hyde passed the tests, but the Niners didn’t let him return to the game.

In Hyde’s absence, the 49ers used backup running backs Jarryd Hayne and Mike Davis, and both played poorly. Hayne averaged 1.5 yards per carry; Davis averaged 2.0.

Hyde’s backup was supposed to be Reggie Bush, but he strained his calf on just his second carry of the season. The Niners can’t currently count on him or any of their backup running backs. They need Hyde, and they need him healthy. Otherwise, the offense will have major problems.

Pass Protection Is a Major Problem

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To slow down the opponent’s pass rush, the Niners desperately need Carlos Hyde and the play-action passing game he creates.

Against the Steelers, San Francisco’s offensive line gave up five sacks. It was lucky to not give up 10 or 11. Colin Kaepernick seemed to escape about a half-dozen times.

Four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley gave up two sacks, two quarterback hits and four hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. Marcus Martin, the center, didn’t give up any sacks, but he still earned a minus-2.1 grade from that same scouting service, which ranks him 27th out of 32 starting NFL centers.

But Martin wasn’t supposed to be the Niners' starting center this season—Daniel Kilgore was. But Kilgore is still rehabbing a broken ankle he suffered last season. The Niners need him back as soon as possible.

Pass Rush Is a Major Problem

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According to Pro Football Focus, the 49ers never touched Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Sunday afternoon. Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and defensive end Arik Armstead each hurried Roethlisberger twice—give them credit—but neither ever touched him.

Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, Lynch registered one sack, one quarterback hit and three hurries, per Pro Football Focus. He was terrific. But he was facing the Vikings’ rookie fourth-round pick, T.J. Clemmings. Easy matchup for Lynch.

Sunday in Pittsburgh, Lynch faced Steelers’ right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who’s just a guy, an average right tackle. But he dominated Lynch, who happens to be the Niners’ best pass-rusher.

Defensive coordinator Eric Mangini probably will have to blitz to generate pressure against most offenses this season.

Opposing Offenses Will Go After CB Kenneth Acker Mercilessly

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The Pittsburgh Steelers wore out second-year cornerback Kenneth Acker.

According to Pro Football Focus, Acker gave up six catches for 120 yards to Steelers No. 1 receiver Antonio Brown, which is to be expected. Most corners can’t cover Brown man to man.

Acker spent his rookie season on the injured reserve list with a broken foot. Sunday was his second game in the NFL. In the locker room afterward, Acker called the game a “learning experience” for him. And he was right—Brown absolutely schooled him.

Expect teams to give Acker more learning experiences. Expect teams to go after him with their best receiver until Acker breaks up a few passes or gets benched. The backups, Keith Reaser and Dontae Johnson, can’t play much worse than Acker did Week 2.

ILB NaVorro Bowman Is Not the Player He Was Before His Knee Injury

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That isn’t to say inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman is a bad player after coming back from a torn ACL and MCL. He’s still a fantastic run defender and a very good blitzer.

But he seems like a liability in coverage. He used to be one of the NFL's best pass-coverage inside linebackers.  Remember the last play of the 2013 NFC Championship Game, against the Atlanta Falcons? Bowman broke up the pass intended for All-Pro wide receiver Roddy White. Bowman was covering him man-to-man.

Bowman can’t cover wide receivers anymore and may not be able to cover running backs or tight ends, either. Through two games, he’s allowing a passer rating of 116.7 when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Niners may have to work around Bowman’s issues in coverage this season. Who knows, they may have to bench him on passing downs.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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