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5 bold predictions for 49ers Week 3 matchup vs. Steelers

By James Jones

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Defensive back Carlos Rogers #22 of the San Francisco 49ers returns the ball after interception in the first quarter before being tackled by Max Starks #78 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Defensive back Carlos Rogers #22 of the San Francisco 49ers returns the ball after interception in the first quarter before being tackled by Max Starks #78 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates an interception returned for a touchdown during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates an interception returned for a touchdown during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Richard Sherman records another pick six

Sherman went through all of 2018 without recording a single interception. That was the first time in his career he had failed to do so over the course of an entire year.

It makes sense, as he was coming off two surgeries to repair both of his Achilles tendons before he signed his contract with the 49ers. Anyone who has ever experienced that injury can tell you, it takes a good year to fully recover.

He had a procedure last January to remove sutures from the area the injury occurred back in 2017. These irritating sutures made it difficult for him to move on the field and caused discomfort which hindered his game last year. Their removal appears to have brought him back to his pre-injury self.

“I’m much healthier. I was kind of out there on one leg,” Sherman said of his first year in San Francisco.

With the emergence of Witherspoon in his third season, quarterbacks are going to have to pick their poison between him and Sherman. Steelers backup Mason Rudolph will make the first start of his NFL career on Sunday. It’s my prediction he will throw one interception and it will be returned for a touchdown by Uncle Sherm.

Prediction: Sherman takes a pick to the house.