Niner Noise
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5 49ers who will have major impact in Week 3 vs. Steelers

By Josh Altorfer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers head home to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. The Niners look to keep their hot start going in their opening game at home in Santa Clara, and these five players will have a big impact.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten off to a rough start in 2019 with losses to the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. They were blown out by the Patriots by a score of 33-3 in Week 1. They played a much closer game in their Week 2 loss to the Seahawks, and 28-26 was the final score.

Pittsburgh also lost its starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, for the season with an elbow injury. The Niners will look to rattle second-year backup Mason Rudolph in his first career NFL start.

The San Francisco 49ers have gotten off to a much better start, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-17 Week 1 and the Cincinnati Bengals 41-17 in Week 2.

Both wins came on the road, marking the first time the Niners have gotten off to such a campaign since 1998.

The Niners look to continue their early season success as they play at home for the first time this season, hosting the Steelers in Week 3. San Francisco has outscored its opponents 72-34 thus far, and the disappointing 2018 season looks to be a distant memory floating further and further in the back of the minds of Niners fans.

Pro Bowlers like tight end George Kittle, cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive end DeForest Buckner have picked up where they left off from last season. Newcomers like linebacker Kwon Alexander and rookie edge rusher Nick Bosa have helped completely reshape the Niners defense into a feared unit.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has quickly shaken off the rust, too.

The 49ers have a long way to go to secure a playoff berth, but the talent and potential of this 2019 team can no longer be denied.

Niner Noise takes a deeper dive into the five players who will help the team continue its hot start in this matchup against the Steelers.