Quick answer
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Final score
- Pittsburgh Steelers 43–18 San Francisco 49ers
- Halftime
- San Francisco 49ers 3–29 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- B. Roethlisberger
- Top passer
- C. Kaepernick
- Biggest EPA play
- (9:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith for 75 yards, TO…
- Game date
- 2015-09-20
Game summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the San Francisco 49ers 43–18 on 2015-09-20. B. Roethlisberger posted a game-high +26.93 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 29 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 18 | |
| 8 | 21 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 43 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +26.93 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play - 2

Anthony Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +17.46 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play - 3

Tyron Smith · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +10.81 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play - 4
C. Kaepernick · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +9.09 total EPA · 56 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play - 5
A. Boldin · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.86 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play - 6
V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.85 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play - 7
M. Wheaton · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.85 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play - 8
D. Heyward-Bey · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+26.93) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 31 counted snaps, they averaged +0.87 EPA per play.
B. Roethlisberger's top snap (+5.30 EPA): (8:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown pushed ob at SF 2 for 59 yards (35-E.Reid).
Biggest single play (+6.12 EPA): C. Kaepernick — (9:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
C. Kaepernick led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
C. Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) · 56 dropbacks · 58.9% completion · +9.9% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +9.09 total EPA
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 31 dropbacks · 67.7% completion · +19.0% CPOE · +0.87 EPA/play · +26.93 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.024 | +0.412 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.8% | 49.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.162 | +0.869 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.191 | +0.101 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.412 | -0.024 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.7% | 55.2% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.41 vs +0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- San Francisco 49ers: +0.02 EPA/play (62nd percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.41 EPA/play (99th percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +28.43 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 10 drives, +2.48 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Pittsburgh Steelers — Herb Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) - Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player
Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Heyward-Bey (B. Roethlisberger pass) - Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player
San Francisco 49ers — A. Boldin (C. Kaepernick pass) - Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player

San Francisco 49ers — Tyron Smith (C. Kaepernick pass) 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Anthony Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Field goals
San Francisco 49ers — P. Dawson
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 8–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 2 (Q1 4:20) — (4:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 83-H.Miller for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the SF 2 (Q1 4:20) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 84-A.Brown is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 21–3. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the PIT 29 (Q2 10:32) — (10:32) (Field Goal formation) 9-P.Dawson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 2 (Q2 8:11) — (8:11) (No Huddle) 34-De.Williams left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the SF 1 (Q2 8:07) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 83-H.Miller is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 35 (Q2 5:52) — (5:52) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 88-D.Heyward-Bey for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 2 (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 34-De.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 1:58) — 8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 15–14. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the PIT 14 (Q4 13:22); San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 13:16) — 9-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q4 10:32); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 10:25) — 8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the PIT 75 (Q4 9:55) — (9:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers registered a safety from the PIT 2 (Q4 9:43) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-C.Kaepernick pass to 82-T.Smith is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the SF 7 (Q4 7:49) — (7:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 7:43) — 8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 8:31) — (8:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown pushed ob at SF 2 for 59 yards (35-E.Reid).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 10:32) — (10:32) (Field Goal formation) 9-P.Dawson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 6:58) — (6:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 88-D.Heyward-Bey to SF 37 for 41 yards (36-D.Johnson).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 12:11) — (12:11) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 88-D.Heyward-Bey to SF 34 for -2 yards (26-T.Brock). PENALTY on PIT-72-C.Wallace, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at SF 34.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 13:46) — (13:46) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown to PIT 48 for 28 yards (35-E.Reid). San Francisco challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the fi
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 9:55) — (9:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 8:31) — (8:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown pushed ob at SF 2 for 59 yards (35-E.Reid).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 4:47) — (4:47) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick FUMBLES (Aborted) at SF 42, RECOVERED by PIT-50-R.Shazier at SF 42. 50-R.Shazier to SF 42 for no gain (88-G.Celek).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 13:22) — (13:22) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short left to 81-A.Boldin for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 4:20 · SF 2 · Score 0-6
(4:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 83-H.Miller for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q1 4:20 · SF 2 · Score 0-8
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 84-A.Brown is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 10:32 · PIT 29 · Score 3-8
(10:32) (Field Goal formation) 9-P.Dawson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 8:11 · SF 2 · Score 3-14
(8:11) (No Huddle) 34-De.Williams left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q2 8:07 · SF 1 · Score 3-16
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 83-H.Miller is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 5:52 · SF 35 · Score 3-22
(5:52) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 88-D.Heyward-Bey for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 2:00 · SF 2 · Score 3-28
(2:00) (Shotgun) 34-De.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 1:58 · SF 15 · Score 3-29
8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 13:22 · PIT 14 · Score 9-29
(13:22) (Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass short left to 81-A.Boldin for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 13:16 · PIT 15 · Score 10-29
9-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 10:32 · SF 1 · Score 10-35
(10:32) 34-De.Williams up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 10:25 · SF 15 · Score 10-36
8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 9:55 · PIT 75 · Score 16-36
(9:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers Safety (+2) — Q4 9:43 · PIT 2 · Score 18-36
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-C.Kaepernick pass to 82-T.Smith is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 7:49 · SF 7 · Score 18-42
(7:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 7:43 · SF 15 · Score 18-43
8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- C. Kaepernick (SF) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2015-09-20?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the San Francisco 49ers 43-18 in Week 2, 2015.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 8; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 21; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 15, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Final: San Francisco 49ers 18, Pittsburgh Steelers 43.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 4:20) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 8:11) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Heyward-Bey (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 5:52) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 2:00) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — A. Boldin (C. Kaepernick pass) (Q4 13:22) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 10:32) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — T. Smith (C. Kaepernick pass) (Q4 9:55) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 7:49) San Francisco 49ers field goal — P. Dawson (Q2 10:32, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
C. Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers), 58.9% completion, +9.9% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +9.09 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 67.7% completion, +19.0% CPOE, +0.87 EPA per dropback, +26.93 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +26.93 total EPA on Passing plays. across 31 snaps. Their top snap (+5.30 EPA): (8:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown pushed ob at SF 2 for 59 yards (35-E.Reid)..
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 1-0 Now 1-1 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W