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Early NFL picks, predictions for Week 1 of 2023 season

By Sayre Bedinger

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 29: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers (13-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

The Steelers extended their streak of never having a losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin last season, but just barely. Actually, the Steelers came close to creeping into the playoffs when all was said and done, but their nine wins weren’t quite enough to get the job done.

Pittsburgh has a strong defense under Tomlin and will continue that in 2023, but their offense led by Kenny Pickett is a major question mark. The Steelers ranked 26th in the NFL in scoring last season despite having the fourth-fewest turnovers in the league. They simply couldn’t punch the ball in.

A 7-2 finish to the 2022 season, however, should be inspiring plenty of confidence into the faithful fans of Steeler Nation. The Steelers get the chance to open this coming season at home against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, who have their own plethora of major question marks heading into this coming season.

The 49ers have one of the most well-constructed rosters in the NFL, but the quarterback position features three guys right now that nobody knows how to project for the coming season. Is Brock Purdy going to be healthy enough to start the year? Does the team believe in Trey Lance enough to put him back in that spot, assuming he also is healthy enough to play?

What about Sam Darnold? Is he an actual factor here?

I’m so fascinated by these two teams. On the one hand, you have Shanahan’s 49ers who score points by the boatload no matter who is playing QB. On the other hand, you have the Steelers who won seven of their last nine games last season averaging 18 points per game.

This could be a defensive battle, and as good as the 49ers were last season — reaching the NFC Championship — I’m taking the Steelers at home given the 49ers’ uncertainty at QB.

Prediction: Steelers win 23-20

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