This past week, confident Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson predicted an interception against San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. The second-year quarterback didn't throw a pick in the 30-7 drubbing of the Steelers. He did throw two touchdowns to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, though.
Both went against Peterson.
Purdy to Aiyuk! First TD on this Sunday
📺: #SFvsPIT on FOX
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/0JVXDA4VQ5
Aiyuk broke Patrick Peterson's ankles 😮
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 10, 2023
pic.twitter.com/VDmDDpNWN3
The cornerback felt he had opportunities to capitalize in the game but couldn't make his prediction come true.
"It was there. I had an opportunity to get two picks," Peterson told reporters after the game. "I just didn't grab it in. But credit to those guys. Those guys did a great job of sticking to their game plan and really getting into their identity, which is run the football, misdirections, hit those bang-8s, hit those deep stops. We just weren't in a good enough position to make those plays."
Patrick Peterson responding to his 'tells' comment following the Steelers 30-7 loss. pic.twitter.com/XT9Nh8yp56
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) September 10, 2023
At first, Purdy wasn't aware that the first touchdown pass to Aiyuk was against Peterson.
"BA was open," Purdy told reporters. "He did a great job on the route and [I] got him the ball, scored a touchdown. And then the second touchdown on the right side, the deep ball, was that on Patrick Peterson?"
Reporters informed the quarterback that it was.
"That one, I was like, 'All right, that felt good,'" Purdy said, after which reporters laughed. "But it was good, man. He's a competitor. I have nothing but respect for Patrick Peterson and everything that he does."
After hearing about Peterson's predictions this week, Aiyuk was happy being the recipient of the two touchdown passes. However, the wide receiver still took the high road when asked about the cornerback.
"He did a good job," Aiyuk said. "I've been talking to Pat for a little bit now, since we've had a couple encounters. So I've been talking to him for a while now. But always fun to go against him."