Steelers' Patrick Peterson Makes Massive Prediction For Week 1; 49ers' Brock Purdy Responds Accordingly

The wait is finally over and the 2023 NFL season has arrived for the Pittsburgh Steelers and 31 other franchises. Mike Tomlin's team will host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 which will be a daunting task given Kyle Shanahan's creative offense and unquestionably talented defense. It will be Pittsburgh's first Week 1 home opener since 2014, so Acrisure Stadium will be an electrifying atmosphere. For 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy, it will be his first time playing in the Steel City as a professional football player and while he had a solid rookie year after being labeled "Mr. Irrelevant," a lot of eyes are on him entering 2023.

Purdy is coming off of a successful rookie campaign that saw him lead San Francisco to five wins and no losses in his five regular season starts. He tossed 13 touchdown passes and only had four interceptions. He was a main reason why the 49ers were able to advance all the way to the NFC Championship Game until a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) kept him from being able to continue against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He will be taking on a team in Pittsburgh that was tied for the league lead with 20 interceptions in 2022. Coincidentally, his 49ers squad was the other team that picked off an opposing quarterback 20 times. The turnover battle will be an important thing to watch on Sunday as both teams have stout defenses that could change the game in a matter of seconds.

Taking a look at numbers from 2022, Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett threw nine interceptions, but only one of them came in his final eight games. He finished his rookie year strong and will look to carry that over into 2023 after Pittsburgh looked like a new-and-improved well-oiled machine in the three exhibition matchups.

One newcomer to the Steelers locker room who is looking forward to going head-to-head versus Purdy is veteran cornerback, Patrick Peterson. He hosts a podcast, All Things Covered, with his cousin and former two-time Super Bowl champion, Bryant McFadden. The duo was discussing the upcoming season opener and Peterson wasn't shy regarding his thoughts on the San Francisco offense.

“There is some tell signs out there that tells us what plays we’re gonna get from those guys in certain situations," Peterson said.

The Steelers defense has clearly studied up and watched hours of tape on the 49ers offense. The defender is confident that his comment on Purdy and co. will be proven right once he makes a game-changing play on Sunday.

"When I get my pick Sunday, we’ll talk about it."

Those are some bold words and a strong prediction from Peterson, but if there is anyone on Pittsburgh's defense who has the career accolades to back it up, Peterson would be the one.

Steelers Week 1 Opponent Responds To Peterson's Turnover Prediction

Purdy is a young signal-caller who has a lot riding on his second season. He is coming off of a serious elbow injury, but his organization has made it clear he is the future of the franchise after trading away disgruntled quarterback, Trey Lance. While only in his second season, he knows better than to chirp too much at a future Hall of Fame candidate. He was asked about what Peterson said on the podcast and gave a professional, calm answer.

“I don’t know what to really say about that. Patrick Peterson is a great player," Purdy said. "I grew up watching him. I was from Arizona, and he played for the Cardinals. That’s the competitive nature of football, I guess. But we’ll see.”

Get your popcorn out, Steelers fans. Week 1 is finally here and Pittsburgh will go up against one of their toughest opponents on the schedule right off the bat. Peterson is already loved by the fans, but getting an interception off of Purdy, and predicting it to boot, would be an awesome start to his career in the Steel City.

Do you think Peterson is trying to get into Purdy's head before the Week 1 contest? Let us know in the comments below!

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