Power Failures Can’t Stop San Francisco 49ers From Beating Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3 on ‘Monday Night Football’
San Francisco 20 – Pittsburgh 3
A gimpy Ben Roethlisberger committed four turnovers, and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3 on Monday night. The game was delayed twice due to power outages at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.The first power failure came prior to kickoff and delayed the game by 20 minutes. The second outage hit at 12:13 of the second quarter. Play resumed 15 minutes later.
San Francisco (11-3) intercepted the ailing Roethlisberger three times, including two passes that were picked off deep in 49ers’ territory. The Steelers’ quarterback played wearing a boot on the severely sprained left ankle he injured last week against Cleveland. Roethlisberger fumbled after being sacked deep in his own territory with Pittsburgh trailing 13-3 in the fourth quarter. San Francisco’s Frank Gore scored on a 5-yard touchdown run five plays later to all but seal the victory.
Pittsburgh (10-4) won the total yardage battle by a 389-287 margin, but was never able to get into the end zone. With the loss, the Steelers remain tied with Baltimore in the AFC North. Pittsburgh was assured of a playoff spot yesterday when Tennessee lost to Indianapolis. The 49ers have already clinched the NFC West title.
San Francisco led 6-0 at halftime on the strength of two David Akers’ field goals. After Shaun Suisham’s 51-yard field goal got the Steelers within 6-3 in the third quarter, quarterback Alex Smith led the 49ers on a 79-yard scoring drive by completing five passes on five attempts, including a 1-yard touchdown toss to tight end Vernon Davis. Davis had three receptions on the drive for a total of 53 yards.
Smith finished with 187 passing yards and the touchdown to Davis, who led San Francisco in receiving with 72 yards on six catches. Gore carried 18 times for 65 yards and the score. Roethlisberger completed 25 of 44 passes for 330 yards and the three interceptions. Pittsburgh’s Jerricho Cotchery caught five passes for 93 yards, while Rashard Mendenhall ran for 64 yards.