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5 crucial takeaways from 49ers Week 3 win vs. Steelers

By James Jones

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball after getting hit low by Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball after getting hit low by Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs tries to rush the passer against Mike McGlinchey #69 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Offensive line could still be a problem

Through two weeks of the season, Garoppolo had been hit twice and taken one sack against Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. Those numbers were expected to increase in Week 3, as the 49ers were without the services of their elder statesman, left tackle Joe Staley.

While the hits the quarterback took increased (not by as much as it seemed at the end of the game), the 49ers offensive line allowed only a single sack to the Steelers defense. The issue here is not the team has only allowed their signal-caller to be sacked a mere two times, it’s the hits he has taken.

Quarterbacks get hit, we know this. It’s finding ways to reduce those instances, which can not only prolong your quarterback’s season, but can also take a team from good to great. It’s another aspect of the game which, if clicking on all cylinders, leads to wins.

With Staley expected to miss a minimum of another six weeks, rookie tackle Justin Skule will have to up his game as the 49ers schedule gets more difficult.

Skule had a series of three penalties in the fourth quarter, which could have derailed the team’s chances at winning its home opener. One of those flags was thrown for an illegal blindside block which was suspect, to say the least.

At the end of the day, the offensive line didn’t play bad and Skule performed better than expected. It’s limiting penalties and hits allowed on Garoppolo which will help Shanahan and the team sleep better at night.