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X-Factors for Week 2 Matchup Between 49ers and Steelers

By Peter Panacy

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The San Francisco 49ers (1-0) will look to carry momentum into a critical road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) in Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season.

San Francisco may not be favored to win this contest given the short week along with the fact that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is 8-1 in home openers during his career. But the 49ers proved in their Monday Night Football home opener that they are certainly much better than what many analysts from around the league predicted.

Victory, or defeat, will depend on a number of critical factors and will also hinge on the ability of certain players to make key plays as much as possible.

Let’s take a look at some of those X-factors leading into Sunday’s bout between San Francisco and Pittsburgh.

Running Back Carlos Hyde

49ers running back Carlos Hyde posted 168 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 — an effort that showcased why San Francisco should be just fine after losing veteran back Frank Gore to free agency this offseason.

Hyde made the Minnesota Vikings defense look bad last week. And he’ll attempt to replicate that success on the road in Week 2.

But the challenge may not be as easy.

Granted, the Steelers defense is nothing like it used to be years ago. But their run defense allowed just 3.3 yards per carry to the New England Patriots in Week 1. While the Patriots aren’t traditionally a run-first offense, look for Pittsburgh to try and stack the box to take away Hyde’s impact.

Still, Chris Trapasso of Fox Sports pointed out how the right side of Pittsburgh’s defensive line may be vulnerable to the power-side combination of left tackle Joe Staley and left guard Alex Boone:

"Hyde’s impressive, 168-yard performance was one of the major storylines from Week 1. The second-year RB averaged a robust 6.5 yards per carry, and more specifically, he averaged 8.83 yards per carry on rushes to the left side of San Francisco’s offensive line, where Pro Bowlers Alex Boone (LG) and Joe Staley (LT) reside. In Week 1 against the right side of the Steelers defense, Patriots elusive runner Dion Lewis carried three times for 17 yards. Pittsburgh’s right defensive end Cam Heyward had a decent evening, grading -0.2 against the run, yet right inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons was given a -2.5 run-stopping grade in large part to his two missed tackles and two total tackles on 24 run plays. Hyde may not rumble for nearly 170 yards again. However, pay attention to his runs behind Boone and Staley."

Whatever the final stat line may be, look for Hyde to be a critical factor.

Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) takes the field against the Green Bay Packers before the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver Antonio Brown

27-year-old Steelers wideout Antonio Brown had a phenomenal effort in Week 1 with 133 yards on nine receptions plus a touchdown.

Even without fellow receiver Martavis Bryant (suspension) out, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will look to test San Francisco’s secondary as frequently as possible. The 49ers defense didn’t have to worry too much about Minnesota’s passing attack especially after forcing five sacks last week.

But sacking the ever-elusive Roethlisberger is much different.

Brown is Pittsburgh’s No. 1 receiver. But that doesn’t mean he’ll always line up against the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver Tramaine Brock.

According to Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus, the Steelers will attempt to line Brown up against some of the younger groups of San Francisco’s secondary — cornerbacks Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker and, possibly, Jimmie Ward.

Even if the 49ers are able to bring pass-rushing pressure like they did last week, look for Roethlisberger to try and get Brown involved as frequently as possible in this attempt to force San Francisco’s secondary to make plays.

Safety Jaquiski Tartt

One of the promising stories emanating from San Francisco this young season has been the development of rookie safety Jaquiski Tartt.

Tartt doesn’t just serve as a No. 3 safety in the secondary. The 49ers have been lining him up as a nickel-formation tight end and often using him in the pass rush.

Such efforts were on display last Monday. This video from Pro Football Spot’s Jon Ledyard showcases how interior-blitzing pressure was enough to throw Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater off his game:

The interior of Pittsburgh’s O-line is questionable at best. The loss of center Maurkice Pouncey opens up a significant gap here in pass protection. Backup center Cody Wallace is not known for being a solid pass protector. And the 49ers will look to exploit this weakness from the inside.

Alongside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, expect the 49ers to put Tartt into some pass-rushing scenarios in this aggressive defense under defensive coordinator Eric Mangini.

Tight end Vernon Davis could be in line to have a major impact on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End Vernon Davis

The Steelers had trouble covering tight ends in Week 1. Granted, no one has a good time covering New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (94 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh).

But this may be an avenue in which the 49ers look to exploit.

Pittsburgh’s secondary is, perhaps, the weakest element of its defense. This group no longer has the veteran prowess of safeties Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor. Instead, a safety tandem of Will Allen and Mike Mitchell will have to provide frequent coverage of the 49ers tight ends.

San Francisco used its crop of tight ends to great effect on Monday. Granted, the majority of these formations were in the running game. But the thought does open up the possibility of inserting tight ends into a more productive passing attack.

Tight end Vernon Davis could be one of the keys in exposing the Steelers vulnerable secondary.

Davis may not be at the elite level at this point in his career. The 31-year-old veteran is coming off an abysmal year but can still create mismatches using his speed and size.

One ex-49ers defensive back who thinks Davis could have a big day against the Steelers is Shawntae Spencer per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area.

Davis could be the 49ers’ biggest X-factor on offense provided quarterback Colin Kaepernick continues his efforts to remain poised within the pocket.

Next: 49ers vs. Steelers: 5 Questions with Still Curtain

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

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