The Pittsburgh Steelers share some striking parallels with the San Francisco 49ers when examined closely. However, the question arises as to how these teams will perform against each other and how close the end result may be while sharing such a similar foundation. In this regard, Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette hosts Jenna Harner on his Locked on Steelers podcast as they delve into an intriguing examination of these teams, highlighting the prowess of their standout performers including T.J. Watt and Nick Bosa, as well as the promising potential of their respective young quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6263-544x306.jpg "Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (8) looks on during 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (8) looks on during 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
During a respectable first season, Pickett showed signs that he was well-poised to establish himself as the cornerstone of the Steelers' organization. Purdy, a seventh-round pick who helped the 49ers reach the NFC title game last season, made his own impact by creating one of the league's most improbable success stories. Steelers fans are now hopeful that their own quarterback, Pickett, can replicate Purdy's success, especially since he showed steady improvement after taking over as the starting quarterback a month into his rookie season.
After being given the opportunity to turn things around for Pittsburgh only a month into last season, Pickett displayed continuous growth and development. The progress he made during Pittsburgh's impressive 7-2 winning streak towards the end of the year seemed to gain even more momentum during the 2023 preseason. With his remarkable talent, he led the first-team offense to score every time he stepped onto the field.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) throws a deep ball down the sidelines while warming up for a 2022 matchup.
The 49ers received a significant defensive upgrade when their star player Bosa finally ended his prolonged contract dispute and rejoined the team under a new agreement. Bosa's exceptional performance in the previous season, where he topped the NFL charts with an impressive 18 1/2 sacks, played a vital role in leading the team's defense to allow the fewest points and yards. 52 of Watt's 77.5 career sacks have occurred at their home stadium and Sunday's game in Pittsburgh will feature both Watt, who won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and Bosa, who won it in San Francisco last season.“...You look at these teams on paper, and there are just so many similarities: both have the most recent two Defensive Players of the Year coming off the edge in Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt. [Talanoa] Hufanga and Minkah Fitzpatrick as playmakers in the secondary. Both look to try and run the ball… and two young quarterbacks, and both are trying to play a similar style…”
San Francisco 49ers / 49ers.com
49ers star edge rusher Nick Bosa made his presence felt against the Steelers in 2019.
"...I am going to be really intrigued to see how he [Purdy] does fare against the Steelers defense that is known to give rookies and young quarterbacks in particular, a lot of fits just because of all the looks that they show, all the disguises that they have, and the way this defense likes to come out in one thing… how much can Brock Purdy adapt on the fly with what the Steelers defense is throwing at him?"
Purdy and the 49ers have encountered numerous adversaries. However, they now face a Pittsburgh defense, which concluded the season ranked 12th in EPA per play and seventh in success rate from Week 12. As a starter in 2022, Purdy found himself positioned at the 34th spot out of 37 individuals in terms of air yards. During the season, he threw the ball at or behind the line of scrimmage 39 percent of the time.
Along with their defense and in the previous season, the Steelers displayed a very methodical approach on offense, with only a single offensive score that exceeded 25 yards. However, the team has high hopes for a significant transformation this year. This outlook stems from the fact that quarterback Pickett is gradually adapting to Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada's intricate strategy, which is expected to enhance their offensive performance. Additionally, the Steelers' offensive line is poised to witness improvements, primarily due to the inclusion of multiple talented players on their roster.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers offense celebrates a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh, PA.
Can Pittsburgh build on their preseason success? What are your predictions for the Steelers this Sunday? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
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