The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the season at home, Ben Roethlisberger was 32, Todd Haley was calling offensive plays, legendary coordinator Dick LeBeau was still leading the defense, and then St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke was laying the groundwork for the big move to Los Angeles. For the first time since the Killer B's were terrorizing opposing defenses, the team will be hosting Week 1.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers fans now know they will be able to fill the stadium again to watch their team open the season at home.
According to Adam Crowley of 93.7 the Fan, Pittsburgh will be hosting the San Francisco 49ers in the first matchup of the 2023 season. It will mark the 23rd meeting between the two franchises with the 49ers holding a slight 12-10 edge in the games between the historic clubs. The last time the two teams met was Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season and a lot has changed for both squads.
I have been told that the #Steelers will open at home against the 49ers.
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) May 11, 2023
The head coaches remain the same with Mike Tomlin and Kyle Shanahan still running the respective ships, but in the time since, the rest of the rosters have seen a fair share of turnover. Kenny Pickett will be the opening-day starter for Pittsburgh and the 49ers are still making up their minds.
STEELERS 2023 NFL SCHEDULE RELEASED
Mark your calendars. The 2023 schedule is set‼️
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 12, 2023
📺: Schedule release coverage on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/S3YqAe5iKt
In the quarterback matchup back in 2019, Mason Rudolph made his first career start for an injured Roethlisberger, and now Las Vegas Raiders signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo managed to help the 49ers win 24-20, despite turning the ball over three times. The 69,439 fans in attendance for the 4:25pm ET start probably could've come at halftime and caught the game's best plays. At the end of the first half, the Steelers held a 6-3 lead thanks to a pair of Chris Boswell field goals. Pittsburgh opened the second half with the ball, but Rudolph was picked off looking for receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and the 49ers scored on the drive following the turnover to take a 10-6 lead.
Later in the quarter, though, Rudolph completed a quick pass to Smith-Schuster and he darted down the field for a 76-yard score to get the lead back. The 49ers responded with a long drive capped by a four-yard score from running back Jeff Wilson.
Tony Avelar/Associated Press
Mason Rudolph almost pulled out a win in his first-ever start against the San Francisco 49ers in 2019.
The Steelers needed a spark on the second drive of the fourth quarter and after missing James Washington on a deep ball, the team got one. 49ers defensive back Jason Verrett was called for pass interference, advancing Pittsburgh up 32 yards into 49ers' territory. On the very next play, rookie receiver Diontae Johnson burned his man and Rudolph hit him open in the endzone for a 39-yard score. The lead wouldn't last. With 1:15 left to go, Garoppolo connected with Dante Pettis from five yards out for the game-sealing score.
Steelers' Last Season Opening Home Game
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell avoids an oncoming tackler in the last Pittsburgh season opener at home.
The last time Steeler Nation was given a season opener on the shores of the three rivers, it was a wild one. It was up against AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns. Roethlisberger outdueled Browns starter Brian Hoyer throwing for 365 yards and a score. Second-year running back Le'Veon Bell torched the Browns' defense for 109 yards rushing and 88 receiving. Antonio Brown caught the lone Steelers touchdown pass of the game while collecting 116 yards receiving and Markus Wheaton came just three yards short of 100.
Despite the gaudy offensive numbers for Pittsburgh, the Browns hung in till the very end with Pittsburgh needing a field goal from Shaun Suisham as time expired to win, 30-27.
Are you buying tickets to the Steelers in Pittsburgh Week 1? What are some of your favorite moments from season openers? Comment below!
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