Game grades from 49ers Week 1 domination over Steelers

49ers Special Teams and Coaching Grades

49ers Special Teams

A good start for the 49ers specialists. Mitch Wishnowsky pinned the Steelers inside their own 10-yard line on three different occasions, and Jake Moody notched a perfect debut, going 3-of-3 on field goals and 3-of-3 on extra points.

The 49ers' return game also sparked in the game. Ray-Ray McCloud' s wrist injury comprised him slightly but he still gained positive yardage on every punt.

The only negative was the kickoffs from San Francisco. Jake Moody's injury put Mitch Wishnowky in charge, and there was no guarantee that he would get the ball into the end zone. The Steelers almost broke a couple of returns, which is the whole reason Moody was drafted with his leg to avoid kickoff snafus like the ones in this game.

It was disappointing to see the 49ers have not improved there yet, but perhaps things will get better when Moody is the one kicking things off.

Grade: A

49ers Coaching

A rather undisciplined game from the 49ers, as they finished with 11 penalties for 85 yards. That is not really a reflection of the head coach Week 1 but perhaps just the rust heading into a new season. Kyle Shanahan and Steve Wilks' gameplans worked to perfection, though, with the exception of the two-minute defense and a few too many solo blocks on T.J. Watt, but the 49ers did what they wanted to do otherwise.

Shanahan's game management also deserves praise. Often considered for being too conservative, Shanahan went for it on fourth down to open the Niners' 2023 season, and it resulted in a touchdown.

Having such a good team should allow a coach to be more aggressive like that, and it was good to see Shanahan take that next step.

Grade: A

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