Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49ers: 1999 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-11-07, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 27–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with +2.69 total EPA.

On the individual side, R. Huntley (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.23 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+54.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: K.Brown kicks 63 yards from PIT 30 to SF 7. L.Phillips to SF 25 for 18 yards (J.Fiala). Oldham holds ball for kickoff.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 R. Huntley · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +4.23 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Edwards · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.93 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Garner · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +3.02 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
4. 4 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Stewart · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +2.69 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Garcia · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +2.60 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Bettis · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.21 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Hawkins · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.83 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q1 56:44)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q1 47:58)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q4 4:06)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — unlisted player (Q1 52:29)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q2 45:00)
• San Francisco 49ers — unlisted player (Q2 44:51)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q3 20:54)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q1 56:44) — (11:44) J.Bettis right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 52:29) — K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the PIT 2 (Q1 52:29) — (7:29) W.Richey 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Zelenka, Holder-C.Stanley.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 13 (Q1 47:58) — (2:58) K.Stewart pass to H.Ward for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 47:52) — K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the SF 10 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) K.Brown 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the PIT 2 (Q2 44:51) — (14:51) W.Richey 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Zelenka, Holder-C.Stanley..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the SF 20 (Q3 20:54) — (5:54) K.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 22 (Q4 4:06) — (4:06) J.Bettis right end for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 3:15) — K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 60:00) — K.Brown kicks 63 yards from PIT 30 to SF 7. L.Phillips to SF 25 for 18 yards (J.Fiala). Oldham holds ball for kickoff. [WPA +54.6% · EPA +0.46]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 56:44) — (11:44) (Shotgun) K.Stewart pass incomplete. PENALTY on SF-D.Walker, Defensive Pass Interference, 18 yards, enforced at PIT 46 - No Play. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +2.54]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 52:29) — K.Brown kicks 68 yards from PIT 30 to SF 2. L.Phillips to PIT 23 for 75 yards (T.Edwards). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +3.47]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 50:05) — (5:05) (Shotgun) K.Stewart pass to T.Edwards to SF 13 for 41 yards (Z.Bronson). [WPA +9.9% · EPA +3.89]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 11:56) — (11:56) S.Stenstrom pass intended for T.Owens INTERCEPTED by S.Shields at PIT 3. S.Shields pushed ob at PIT 28 for 25 yards (D.Deese). PENALTY on SF-D.Deese, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced [WPA -7.0% · EPA -3.31]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) R.Huntley left end to SF 1 for 52 yards (R.McQuarters). [WPA +1.3% · EPA +5.03]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 47:52) — (2:52) C.Garner right guard to SF 19 for no gain (L.Kirkland). FUMBLES (L.Kirkland), RECOVERED by PIT-E.Holmes at SF 19. [WPA -6.6% · EPA -4.60]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 4:06) — (4:06) J.Bettis right end for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.2% · EPA +4.36]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 50:05) — (5:05) (Shotgun) K.Stewart pass to T.Edwards to SF 13 for 41 yards (Z.Bronson). [WPA +9.9% · EPA +3.89]

Quarterback report card

K.Stewart led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 30 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +2.69 total EPA
• S.Stenstrom (San Francisco 49ers) · 19 dropbacks · 26.3% completion · -0.52 EPA/play · -9.82 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.21), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, +6.56 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, -17.91 total EPA, 2 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Huntley (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 56:44 · SF 1 · Score 6-0
   (11:44) J.Bettis right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 52:29 · SF 2 · Score 7-0
   K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak.
3. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 52:29 · PIT 2 · Score 7-3
   (7:29) W.Richey 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Zelenka, Holder-C.Stanley.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 47:58 · SF 13 · Score 13-3
   (2:58) K.Stewart pass to H.Ward for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 47:52 · SF 2 · Score 14-3
   K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 45:00 · SF 10 · Score 17-3
   (15:00) K.Brown 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak.
7. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 44:51 · PIT 2 · Score 17-6
   (14:51) W.Richey 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Zelenka, Holder-C.Stanley.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 20:54 · SF 20 · Score 20-6
   (5:54) K.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 4:06 · SF 22 · Score 26-6
   (4:06) J.Bettis right end for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 3:15 · SF 2 · Score 27-6
    K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Schneck, Holder-M.Tomczak.