The timing of Ben Roethlisberger’s ankle sprain could hardly have been worse with the Steelers travelling to Candlestick Park. Containing the trio of Aldon Smith, Justin Smith and Ray McDonald is a tall task in itself but with Ben’s inability to escape sacks and extend plays it made it all the more difficult. It didn’t help that the left side of Pittsburgh’s line played so pitifully but then better players than Max Starks, Trai Essex and Doug Legursky have suffered at the hands of this San Francisco defense.
For the 49ers it was another game where smash mouth football paid off. Alex Smith failed to capitalise on some early drives where they were forced to settle for field goals but he got better as the game went along. His perfectly weighted pass on a play action throwback to Vernon Davis highlighted just how far he’s come this season.
Steelers – Three Performances of Note
The pathetic left side
The 49ers had all of their success rushing against the left side of Pittsburgh’s line. While RG Ramon Foster and RT Marcus Gilbert were perfect in pass protection, Max Starks, Trai Essex and Doug Legursky gave up a pair of sacks, five hits, and nine pressures. Although he didn’t give up a sack, Legursky (-4.7), ended up with the worst grade. His complete failure to deal with Aldon Smith's stunts, whether from the left or right, led to Roethlisberger being on his back three times. The blockers to the left of the center were as bad, with Essex (-4.0) giving up a sack, a hit and three pressures. Starks (-3.3) gave up the same pressure but compounded it with a pair of penalties.
Another barren day for Hood
Ziggy Hood (-3.0) hasn’t lived up to his draft status yet and Monday night was another example of that. For an every down player (he played 60 of 65 snaps) he just doesn’t flash enough. Last night was his seventh game failing to register a single pressure. He has just four sacks and eight pressures in 426 rushes in 2011. To put that in perspective, he had three sacks, two hits and 14 pressures in 453 rushes a year ago. In the run game (-1.6) he graded positively on just two occasions in this game and one came when he was unblocked. RT Anthony Davis controlled him seemingly at will with one such playing coming at 10:36 in the first quarter. Davis was able to seal Hood to the inside on an off tackle run to the right. That play is just one example of his struggles throughout the game.
The shining Clark
Ryan Clark (+3.3) was by far Pittsburgh’s best defensive player. In the run game he made three tackles either at or behind the line of scrimmage as well as four defensive stops. His most impressive play was probably his tackle for a loss when the 49ers had first and goal with 4.19 to go in the first. Clark reacted quickly to the run action and brought Frank Gore down three yards into the backfield. His numbers in coverage tell you everything you need to know about his performance when the 49ers dropped back to pass. Overall he allowed just two of six passes to be complete for -2 yards and two pass deflections. His first PD (5:19, second quarter) was a beautiful play and showed how NFL players now have to hit to avoid flags and fines. Davis had the ball in his hands after running a corner route but Clark aimed his hit perfectly so as to knock the ball loose with his shoulder. It would have been even better for Clark if not for the TD he gave up on a one yard pass to Davis.
San Francisco – Three Performances of Note
Slow improvement, but improvement nonetheless
Its these kind of performances that show you just how much potential Anthony Davis has (+4.8). After starting off the season terribly (six negatively graded game in a row), he’s come on a lot of late, grading in the green on five occasions. Davis was perfect in pass protection (which is even more impressive considering he was matched up with Lamar Woodley for much of the game) and was San Francisco’s most impressive blocker in the run game (+2.4). As mentioned he got the better of Hood on almost every occasion as well as winning his battles with Pittsburgh’s inside linebackers.
A poor game for Brooks
Ahmad Brooks (-4.5) was one of the few players to struggle in San Francisco’s front seven. Matched up almost exclusively with impressive rookie right tackle Gilbert, Brooks failed to register a single pressure, the first time he’s been shut out all year. His work in coverage was also disappointing as he allowed all three targets to be complete for 79 yards including 52 after the catch. Pittsburgh caught him twice with the same play, running Heath Miller into the flat then up the field where Brooks was staring into the backfield because of a pump fake. Both plays came in quick succession in the third quarter making the second mistake more egregious. Brooks was solid against the run (-0.2) making a tackle for no gain at 7:12 in the second. He stood Miller up at the line, kept his inside arm free and was able to tackle Reshard Mendenhall.
The rookie wall?
After starting off the season so well, Chris Culliver (-4.0) has cooled off of late. He constantly played too far off receivers eventually allowing five of eight targets to be complete for 66 yards. That was especially true when he was matched up with the speedy Mike Wallace who caught all four of his targets. His biggest mistake came at 12:04 in the first when Wallace got across his face on a slant and he made a weak attempt at a tackle resulting in 30 yards after the catch.
Game notes
– Frank Gore added a pair of missed tackles taking his season total to 24
– NaVorro Bowman allowed a QB rating of 118.8 when targeted
– Pittsburgh knocked Alex Smith down just twice
PFF Game ball
Aldon Smith led the way for the 49ers with three sacks, four hits and three pressures, another awesome game for the rookie phenom.
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