49ers vs. Steelers: Watch the blocking on this Christian McCaffrey TD
By Peter Panacy
![San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (R) stiff-arms Pittsburgh Steelers defender Elandon Roberts (L) San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (R) stiff-arms Pittsburgh Steelers defender Elandon Roberts (L)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2396,h_1347,x_0,y_192/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/42/01ha082p6byhvta22ktj.jpg)
The 49ers continued their domination over the Steelers after halftime, thanks to Christian McCaffrey's long touchdown run.
About everything that could go right for the San Francisco 49ers during their Week 1 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers went right, certainly early on through the first half.
Out to a 20-7 lead, which looks closer than it was because of Pittsburgh's desperate possession just before the half that resulted in its only score, the Niners nevertheless wanted to get momentum right back after briefly losing it toward the end of the second quarter.
All they needed was running back Christian McCaffrey to do his thing.
Christian McCaffrey rushes for 65-yard TD, his longest as a 49ers player
Less than a minute after receiving the second-half kickoff, San Francisco wanted to respond to the Steelers touchdown prior to halftime.
Just call on McCaffrey:
McCaffrey rushed for the 65-yard touchdown to put San Francisco up 27-7, gaining all the momentum back in the 49ers' favor.
A few things, though.
First, check out the blocking on McCaffrey's play. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who recorded two touchdowns earlier in the game already, didn't mind getting dirty and opening up some lanes for his All-Pro running back.
Likewise, fellow wideout and return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud, who came over from the Steelers to the Niners a year ago, ran all the way down the field to assist in blocking for McCaffrey.
Related story: 49ers vs. Steelers: Betting odds, game time and how to watch live
Teamwork makes the dream work, right? It sure did there.
On top of all that, McCaffrey's 65-yard rush is now the longest he's had since coming over to San Francisco in that midseason blockbuster trade from the Carolina Panthers last season.
It's probably a safe bet to assume the 49ers are happy they pulled off that deal.
And the Niners are certainly happy that essentially everything is going their way in Week 1 against the Steelers, too.
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