Sep 19, 2015 4 min read

Things should have looked vaguely familiar for some Steelers coaches when they turned on tape of San Francisco’s 20-3 victory over Minnesota Monday night.

The 49ers looked a lot like the old Steelers, circa 2001 or so.

The 49ers rely on a mobile quarterback and strong running game to go along with a stout defense that pressures opposing quarterbacks from all angles.

San Francisco doesn’t have the top-notch edge rushers the pre-Ben Roethlisberger Steelers had, but they found a way to get to Minnesota’s Teddy Bridgewater five times while limiting Adrian Peterson to 31 yards on 10 carries.

The way to beat those Steelers teams was to spread them out and force them out of their base 3-4 defense. That’s what New England and Oakland did to open the 2002 season, when the Patriots threw the ball 25 consecutive times at one point in a 30-14 victory and Oakland followed by having QB Rich Gannon go to the air 64 times in a 30-17 win.

Those two games basically ended Kordell Stewart’s tenure as Steelers quarterback. They realized if it was going to take the next step, they needed to start throwing the ball – a lot. The Steelers tried first with Tommy Maddox before Roethlisberger fell into their lap in 2004.

The Steelers should take a similar approach today with the 49ers and spread the field and allow Roethlisberger to take charge of this game. Even without suspended stars Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant, the Steelers should have enough offensive weapons to hurt the 49ers.

That will force San Francisco and Kaepernick, who has nearly five times more games (14) in which he has passed for fewer than 200 yards than he has thrown for more than 300 (three) in 40 career starts, to do something out of character and try to keep up.

Coming off a week in which they played Monday night and now have to play a 1 p.m. game in the Eastern Time Zone, the 49ers likely can’t keep up.

The Steelers are 5 1/2-point favorites to win this game, and while the 49ers might keep it close for a while, look for the Steelers to win this one, 26-20.

The Giants couldn’t cover Dallas’ receivers last week even after Dez Bryant left with a broken foot.

Take Atlanta, 24-20

Houston already has a quarterback controversy on its hands.

Take Carolina, 21-17

The Colts are without three of their top four cornerbacks and probably top WR T.Y. Hilton as well. But I’ll take the home team.

Take Indianapolis, 30-20

A rematch of last year’s NFC Championship. Only this time, it’s in Green Bay.

Take Green Bay, 27-21

The Patriots are 26-5 against the Bills with Bill Belichick as head coach, though Buffalo won the last meeting.

Take New England, 26-17

The Cowboys got a gift win last week, while the Eagles lost a game they probably should have won.

Take Philadelphia, 31-24

Another West Coast team playing at 1 p.m. in the east. But it should be close.

Take San Diego to cover in a 24-21 loss

Both teams coming off losses. I’ll go with the better quarterback.

Take New Orleans, 34-16

Detroit blew a big lead at San Diego last week. Minnesota played well defensively for a half at San Francisco before falling apart after midnight.

Take Minnesota, 30-24

The Cardinals get their shot at Jay Cutler and company.

Take Arizona, 23-17

Marcus Mariota didn’t make any mistakes in his debut for Tennessee. Johnny Manziel made plenty. But this is back-to-back road games for the Titans.

Take Cleveland, 17-16

The Rams’ ferocious defensive front will get after Washington quarterback Kurt Cousins.

Take St. Louis, 23-15

Redskins last week and now the Jaguars this week. Who made this schedule? Dan Marino?

Take Miami, 23-13

Back-to-back long trips for the Ravens, who played in Denver last week. But the Raiders could be without starting QB Derek Carr.

Take Baltimore, 19-10

Last week: 7-8-1 ATS, 9-7 Straight up

Overall: 7-8-1 ATS, 9-7 Straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.