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3 players who impressed in 49ers Week 3 win over Steelers

By Robert Morrison

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with fans after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with fans after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 30: Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks in to the crowd during the first half of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 30: Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks in to the crowd during the first half of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Edge rusher Dee Ford

For a guy who didn’t practice all week and was a question mark heading into the game, the 49ers new edge rusher Dee Ford made quite an impact.

His raw stats were not eye-popping, as he ended the game with just one tackle, which was for loss, and a single sack.

But once again, the eye test during the game tells more of the story.

Ford was constantly creating pressure on Mason Rudolph, as he and the rest of the 49ers defensive line continued to push the Steelers’ well-respected offensive line back, collapsing the pocket and forcing Rudolph into errant throws.

The quarterback completing just 51.9 percent of his passes and his one interception were both heavily due to Ford’s pressure:

Ford’s numbers are unlikely to be as impressive as they were last season in Kansas City with the Chiefs. But if he can produce these kind of pressure numbers, even if the sacks don’t hit the heights he has in years past, he’ll continue to be as vital a part of this defense as he was in Week 3.