5 refreshing takeaways from 49ers' season-opening win over Steelers
By Peter Panacy
49ers takeaway No. 2: Secondary is on point... might be a turnover-generating machine
It seems like a yearly thing, but arguably the only worry about San Francisco's defense entering 2023 was whether or not the defensive backfield would be a problem.
Sure, one week's worth of evidence isn't going to suggest much. But, so far, so good.
The 49ers secondary played very well on Sunday, frustrating Kenny Pickett's targets while also forcing two interceptions, the first of which came from cornerback Charvarius Ward on Pittsburgh's second possession of the game:
Pickett tested the Niners secondary 46 times. And while he completed 31 of those attempts for 232 yards, the combination of the defensive backfield and the pass rush led to five sacks and two interceptions, the other on a tip-drill play that landed in the hands of safety Talanoa Hufanga.
It sure seems as if San Francisco's secondary will be just fine this season, provided it can stay healthy.