San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2007 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-09-23, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 37–16 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Smith (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with -4.92 total EPA, and -12.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, H. Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: 6-J.Nedney kicks 68 yards from SF 30 to PIT 2. 30-A.Rossum for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.94 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.73 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Jackson · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.54 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.88 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play
4. 4 N. Davenport · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +3.77 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
5. 5 V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Jacobs · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.96 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Tuman · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.77 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Battle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.38 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 — A. Rossum (Q1 54:24)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Tuman (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:42)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — B. McFadden (Q4 4:15)
• San Francisco 49ers — T. Jacobs (A. Smith pass) (Q4 2:30)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — N. Davenport (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney (Q1 54:27)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney (Q1 48:04)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q3 24:45)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney (Q3 20:08)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q4 15:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q4 5:03)

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 7–6. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the PIT 14 (Q1 54:27) — (9:27) 6-J.Nedney 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 30 (Q1 54:24) — 6-J.Nedney kicks 68 yards from SF 30 to PIT 2. 30-A.Rossum for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 54:12) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the PIT 4 (Q1 48:04) — (3:04) 6-J.Nedney 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 9 (Q2 30:42) — (:42) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-J.Tuman for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 30:37) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the SF 18 (Q3 24:45) — (9:45) 3-J.Reed 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the PIT 32 (Q3 20:08) — (5:08) 6-J.Nedney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 20–7. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the SF 31 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 3-J.Reed 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the SF 17 (Q4 5:03) — (5:03) 3-J.Reed 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 58 (Q4 4:15); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 4:01) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the PIT 21 (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass deep left to 88-T.Jacobs for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 2:22) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 39 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 44-N.Davenport left guard for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 1:51) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..

Turning points

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:24) — 6-J.Nedney kicks 68 yards from SF 30 to PIT 2. 30-A.Rossum for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +6.17]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 22 for -7 yards (55-H.Navies). FUMBLES (55-H.Navies), RECOVERED by SF-55-H.Navies at PIT 22. 55-H.Navies to PIT 22 for no gain (77-M.Smith). [WPA -17.5% · EPA -5.82]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 55:54) — (10:54) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 85-V.Davis to PIT 14 for 31 yards (27-A.Smith). [WPA +8.9% · EPA +2.13]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 50:26) — (5:26) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 85-V.Davis ran ob at PIT 10 for 11 yards. [WPA +6.5% · EPA +1.55]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 26:02) — (11:02) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 83-H.Miller to SF 18 for 29 yards (52-P.Willis). Penalty on SF-23-M.Hudson, Illegal Contact, declined. [WPA +6.3% · EPA +2.99]

Impact plays

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 4:15) — (4:15) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left intended for 88-T.Jacobs INTERCEPTED by 20-B.McFadden at SF 50. 20-B.McFadden for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -1.7% · EPA -7.74]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:24) — 6-J.Nedney kicks 68 yards from SF 30 to PIT 2. 30-A.Rossum for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +6.17]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 44-N.Davenport left guard for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +6.03]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 22 for -7 yards (55-H.Navies). FUMBLES (55-H.Navies), RECOVERED by SF-55-H.Navies at PIT 22. 55-H.Navies to PIT 22 for no gain (77-M.Smith). [WPA -17.5% · EPA -5.82]

Quarterback report card

A.Smith led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Smith (San Francisco 49ers) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · -12.3% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -4.92 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 24 dropbacks · 54.2% completion · +11.5% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +2.59 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs -0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +16.80 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 11 drives, -1.94 total EPA, 5 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.
• H. Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Smith (SF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 54:27 · PIT 14 · Score 3-0
   (9:27) 6-J.Nedney 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 54:24 · SF 30 · Score 3-6
   6-J.Nedney kicks 68 yards from SF 30 to PIT 2. 30-A.Rossum for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 54:12 · SF 2 · Score 3-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
4. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 48:04 · PIT 4 · Score 6-7
   (3:04) 6-J.Nedney 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:42 · SF 9 · Score 6-13
   (:42) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-J.Tuman for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:37 · SF 2 · Score 6-14
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 24:45 · SF 18 · Score 6-17
   (9:45) 3-J.Reed 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
8. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q3 20:08 · PIT 32 · Score 9-17
   (5:08) 6-J.Nedney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · SF 31 · Score 9-20
   (15:00) 3-J.Reed 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 5:03 · SF 17 · Score 9-23
    (5:03) 3-J.Reed 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 4:15 · PIT 58 · Score 9-29
    (4:15) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left intended for 88-T.Jacobs INTERCEPTED by 20-B.McFadden at SF 50. 20-B.McFadden for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 4:01 · SF 2 · Score 9-30
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
13. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 2:30 · PIT 21 · Score 15-30
    (2:30) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass deep left to 88-T.Jacobs for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 2:22 · PIT 2 · Score 16-30
    6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · SF 39 · Score 16-36
    (2:00) 44-N.Davenport left guard for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 1:51 · SF 2 · Score 16-37
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.