Game Day article released early due to Sunday's early kickoff.
On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) will host the San Francisco 49ers (1-0) at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The 49ers are coming off of a 20-3 win against the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers are coming off of a 28-21 loss against the New England Patriots.
Sunday's matchup between the 49ers and Steelers will feature two franchises that have combined for 11 Super Bowl championships.
49ers RB Carlos Hyde is coming off a game where he rushed for 168 yards, two touchdowns, and had 182 all-purpose yards against the Vikings. His 11 rushing first downs also led the NFL last week and were the most by a 49ers running back in franchise history during a season opener. Hyde's NFL-leading performance earned him the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award. Hyde turns 24 on Sunday.
It will be a homecoming for 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula, who grew up just outside Pittsburgh. He will have 50 friends and family in attendance to watch his 49ers take on the home team. In fact, Tomsula's uncle 'Tic' was a scoreboard operator at Heinz Field for 12 seasons and his grandfather opened a restaurant in the shadow of Forbes Field, the one-time home of the Steelers and Pirates.
A win in Pittsburgh would make the 49ers 2-0 before they head into their first divisional matchup with the Arizona Cardinals during week 3. WR Torrey Smith is motivated to play Pittsburgh. The former Baltimore Raven, a rival of Pittsburgh dating back to when the team was the Cleveland Browns, said that he will give it his all against the 'hated' Steelers in honor of a young girl named Sienna, who passed away this week.
"I'll pray everyday for healing for the family and I'll give it my all this weekend against the team Sienna hated the most," said Smith on Instagram.
With RB Reggie Bush out for the 49ers, the team will activate Mike Davis for the first time this season. However, according to offensive coordinator Geep Chryst, Jarryd Hayne will serve as Carlos Hyde's backup. WR Bruce Ellington's status is unknown due to an ankle sprain, but he did practice with the team on Friday.
Update: WR Bruce Ellington is inactive for the game. DeAndrew White will take his place. Other inactives include RB Bush, C Nick Easton, G Brandon Thomas, NG Mike Purcell, CB Shareece Wright, and OLB Corey Lemonier.
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Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 10:00 AM PT
Television: The game will be televised on FOX (Check 506 Sports to see if it is local)
Australian Television: Seven Network
Bay Area Radio: KGO 810 & The Bone 107.7 (Other radio affiliates)
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860
Australian Radio: Triple M
Last Meeting: 12/19/11, 49ers win 20-3, at SF
All-Time Matchup: 49ers lead series 11-9
Current Streak: Won 1
Betting: The Steelers are 6.5 point favorites.
NFL Fan Picks: 61% pick the Steelers to win according to Yahoo! Sports
49ers Fan Picks: Within our Pick 'em Contest, 66% believe the 49ers will win
49ers Schedule: View full schedule
Steelers News: Steelers news at Problitz.com
Follow Game Online: NFL.com's Game Center
Discuss: Niner Talk forum
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| Team | Pos | Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | RB | Reggie Bush | Calf | Out |
| 49ers | WR | Bruce Ellington | Ankle | Questionable |
| Steelers | CB | Cortez Allen | Knee | Questionable |
| Steelers | S | Will Allen | Concussion | Probable |
| Steelers | CB | Brandon Boykin | Groin | Probable |
| Steelers | QB | Landry Jones | Concussion | Probable |
| Steelers | S | Mike Mitchell | Hip | Probable |
| Steelers | LB | Ryan Shazier | Knee | Probable |
| Steelers | LB | Sean Spence | Hamstring | Probable |
| 49ers | Steelers | |
|---|---|---|
|
20.0 (22nd)
|
Offense Pts
|
21.0 (19th)
|
|
395.0 (10th)
|
Offense Yds
|
464.0 (2nd)
|
|
165.0 (30th)
|
Offense Pass
|
330.0 (5th)
|
|
230.0 (1st)
|
Offense Rush
|
134.0 (6th)
|
|
3.0 (1st)
|
Defense Pts Allowed
|
28.0 (23rd)
|
|
248.0 (4th)
|
Defense Yds Allowed
|
361.0 (22nd)
|
|
177.0 (6th)
|
Defense Pass Allowed
|
281.0 (25th)
|
|
71.0 (7th)
|
Defense Rush Allowed
|
80.0 (12th)
|
Game Plan: How Can the 49ers Attack the Steelers?
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