Patrick Peterson promised interception, instead humbled 3 times by 49ers offense

The 49ers got off to a hot start with a 30-7 rout on the road against the Steelers, but it was more than just the scoreline that gave satisfaction to both players and fans of the red and gold.

There's a certain lesson in sports that everyone can agree on: If you're going to talk some trash, you better be able to back it up.

Sports has always had some great trash-talkers, and the universal denominator is that they were good enough to get away with it. Muhammad Ali would not have been loved for his swagger and lip if he wasn't the world heavyweight champion, he would have been laughed at.

And, unfortunately for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson, the NFL world is laughing at him after Sunday following his bravado promising an interception against the San Francisco 49ers, as well as his dismissive attitude towards the team ended up backfiring.

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Not just the fact that the Niners won 30-7 in a blowout, but the fact Peterson directly gave up two touchdowns and was stonewalled by Ray-Ray McCloud on another touchdown.

It's worth noting that San Francisco scored only three touchdowns, meaning Peterson was embarrassed on every 49ers touchdown for those keeping track.

And we are keeping track, let's take a look at all of them, starting with the first touchdown grabbed by wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk:

Aiyuk completely shook Peterson out of his shoes, faking outside and then moving in, leaving Peterson in the dust and giving quarterback Brock Purdy the simplest of throws to get the team on the board. Peterson had no chance.

But let's give Peterson the benefit of the doubt, as we all slip over from time to time and it's unfortunate.

Maybe he could have made a play, right? But then, it gets worse.

This is where Peterson learned a valuable lesson, do not call out Purdy. Purdy will take it personally.

Now, to be fair to Peterson, it's about as perfect as you can get for coverage on this play, but for someone saying the 49ers offense had "tells" and would be vulnerable to him he certainly didn't seem able to do much about Purdy throwing literally right at him, as it hit Aiyuk right into the breadbasket for the second touchdown of the game.

And now, just for fun:

This is what Niners football is about. Running back Christian McCaffrey bursting through the hole, excellent blocking by the receivers (including Aiyuk laying out such a perfect pancake he could open an IHOP), and a despairing Peterson being put through the spin cycle as McCaffrey toys with him before running over him for the final touchdown.

That was the ballgame.

Call out the 49ers if you want, but you had better be sure you back it up. Peterson didn't back it up, he got backed up.

Game. Set. Match. San Francisco.