Six months (and change), the 49ers left Pennsylvania bloodied, battered, and beaten. Young phenom Brock Purdy was knocked out of the game on his first possession, and the 49ers dream season came to an abrupt end.
Opening day for the 2023 season saw the 49ers back in Pennsylvania hoping to exact revenge on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, they did. Brock Purdy was repaired, quick in his decisions, and his uncanny sharp self, CMC tore the Pittsburgh line to shreds, Brandon Aiyuk shredded the Steelers secondary, and the defense shut down what was supposed to be an offense on the rise.
You can look at the numbers to see how bad the domination was, but needless to say, those who thought the Niners might come out slow were sadly mistaken. That includes a lot of talking wonks. Including Patrick Peterson, who said he saw a ‘tell’ in Purdy’s game, and he would get a pick or two. Instead, he gave up 3 passes in 5 targets, and two TDs (to Aiyuk). Ooops.
391 yards to 239.
37:23 to 22:37 time of possession.
The only things that were an issue were penalties and some miscues on the O line. The 49ers had 11 penalties for 85 yards. Spenser Burford had a hold to kill a drive, and a false start, and Colton Mckivitz had his hands full with TJ Watt. The Niner O line gave up 3 sacks, and a lot of hurries. Still and all, the Pittsburgh D line is one of the top D lines in the league, and Purdy was able to hot his guys for the most part.
The 49ers D came out playing fast and furious. Pittsburgh’s first 5 drives were four 3-and-outs, and one pick. Our base D was relentless pressuring Pickett, and Pittsburgh didn’t get anything going until under 2 minutes in the 1st half. Drake Jackson led the charge with 2 early sacks to stifle 2 Steeler drives.
All in all, a resounding victory. One with what looked like an injury-free day. Williams did go out for a bit, but it looked to me like he just had the wind knocked out of him.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Listen. if you dare!
Every loadie in the 70s had this album.
The epic drum solo of it’s time 😎
Of ALL time . . . !
RIP Ron Bushy…
Rodgers out for the rest of the game with an ankle injury on the 1st drive? Shit. Not a huge Rodgers fan, but that ‘s fucked up.
Breece Hall nearly had himself a Garrison Hearst moment and ran for 83 yards from the 6 but came up short of the end zone.
I’m still marvelling at the block Brandon Aiyuk laid on Damonte Kazee on the McCaffery run.
Just an epic pancake. Ray Ray was no slouch himself. But Brandon is my guy. Been saying for a while this is his year to shine.
And the Aaron Rodgers era in New York starts off with a bit of a twist. Woof. Really just sucks to be a Jets fan.
That block might’ve been my favorite play of the game. Aiyuk is playing for a new contract. Pretty epic start. What a fun game. Kudos to the DL, OL (run blocking in particular), Purdy making good decisions (including stepping UP in the pocket) CMC being…CMC, secondary, and topping it off, Moody going 6 for 6. And injury free. It’s a long season though, but an effing good start.
And yes Chuck, I had a huge WTF moment seeing CMC STILL running into the line with the game in hand. Sheesh.
I think I’ll be at your restaurant on 9-23 around 12:30.
Do you still own the restaurant?
Yeah, CMC and Bosa were still out there midway thru the 4th quarter. Drove me nuts.
Aiyuk is a bona fide star. He’s gonna be our best WR for a while.
Robert Saleh even said it postgame interview:”It’s not good” when your coach says that u have to believe him and say Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles and MRI is just a formality and Rodgers season and possible career at his age is over.Sucks to go out like this though for sure a 1st ballot HOF
chuck for some reason I couldn’t post anything after the first one went through yesterday, weird. I only got to see most of the 1st half but we sure did look good. Nice to come out of the gate strong truly Walshian. Has a smile on my face all day.
The Meadowlands turf monster bites again.
Tough break for ARod and the Jets.
Yep. What’s real fucked up is they are gonnna put grass in Met Life for soccer games. The owner spends $120 mill on Rodgers and cheaps out on the turf.
Woody Johnson of the J&J medical conglomerate Johnson’s can put a Band-Aid on it I ‘spose?
Funny stuff . . .
Hey Berger, fyi, after running the biz for 9 years, my business partner and I sold the brewpub this summer to a group of our long term employees. I’m now officially retired (!) If you like IPAs, get the Emerald Pool — a good west coast style, or the Dynamite Double IPA, made in the Pliney the Elder style. And check out the t-shirt on sale there with the image of a head exploding with hops — that’s me! Cheers
Barley, what’s the name of the brew pub?
This is it? Three Forks?
https://untappd.com/v/three-forks-bakery-brewing-co/1922985
yeah, that’s it
New thread is up.