FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 2 · September 20, 2015 · 12 min read

San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2015 Week 2 Recap

Steelers defeat 49ers 43–18 in Week 2

B.Roethlisberger led Fantasy Impact as Steelers prevailed in a 18–43 Week 2 finish.

San Francisco 49ers 18 1–1
Final 18–43
Pittsburgh Steelers 43 1–1 Winner
Winner
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score
18–43
Halftime
San Francisco 49ers 3–29 Pittsburgh Steelers
Top passer
C. Kaepernick
FantasyHQ MVP
B.Roethlisberger
Game date
September 20, 2015

Top fantasy performers · 49ers

  • Tyron Smith
    Tyron Smith 6 REC · 120 YDS · 1 TD +10.8 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Kaepernick 33/56 · 316 YDS · 3 TD +9.1 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Boldin 6 REC · 60 YDS · 1 TD +4.9 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

  • B.Roethlisberger 21/31 · 373 YDS · 3 TD +26.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Anthony Brown
    Anthony Brown 9 REC · 195 YDS · 1 TD +17.5 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Wheaton 2 REC · 67 YDS +3.9 Fantasy Impact

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.

Q1Q2Q4T
San Francisco 49ers03150018
Pittsburgh Steelers821140043

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

SFSan Francisco 49ers
PITPittsburgh Steelers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

16 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 4:20TD
    Herb Miller

    Points+6

    Yard line
    SF 2
    Score
    0-6

    (4:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 83-H.Miller for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q1 4:20Safety
    BRB. Roethlisberger

    Points+2

    Yard line
    SF 2
    Score
    0-8

    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 84-A.Brown is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  3. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q2 10:32FG
    PDP. Dawson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    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.

  4. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 8:11TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    SF 2
    Score
    3-14

    (8:11) (No Huddle) 34-De.Williams left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 8:07Safety
    BRB. Roethlisberger

    Points+2

    Yard line
    SF 1
    Score
    3-16

    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 83-H.Miller is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  6. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 5:52TD
    DHD. Heyward-Bey

    Points+6

    Yard line
    SF 35
    Score
    3-22

    (5:52) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 88-D.Heyward-Bey for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 2:00TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    SF 2
    Score
    3-28

    (2:00) (Shotgun) 34-De.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q2 1:58XP
    JSJ. Scobee

    Points+1

    Yard line
    SF 15
    Score
    3-29

    8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  9. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q4 13:22TD
    ABA. Boldin

    Points+6

    Yard line
    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 stands.

  10. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q4 13:16XP
    PDP. Dawson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 15
    Score
    10-29

    9-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.

  11. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 10:32TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    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.

  12. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 10:25XP
    JSJ. Scobee

    Points+1

    Yard line
    SF 15
    Score
    10-36

    8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

  13. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q4 9:55TD
    Tyron Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 75
    Score
    16-36

    (9:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Kaepernick pass deep middle to 82-T.Smith for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q4 9:43Safety
    CKC. Kaepernick

    Points+2

    Yard line
    PIT 2
    Score
    18-36

    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-C.Kaepernick pass to 82-T.Smith is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  15. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 7:49TD
    Anthony Brown

    Points+6

    Yard line
    SF 7
    Score
    18-42

    (7:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  16. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 7:43XP
    JSJ. Scobee

    Points+1

    Yard line
    SF 15
    Score
    18-43

    8-J.Scobee extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +26.93 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
  2. 2Anthony BrownAnthony Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +17.46 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
  3. 3Tyron SmithTyron Smith · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +10.81 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
  4. 4C. Kaepernick · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +9.09 total EPA · 56 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
  5. 5A. Boldin · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.86 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
  6. 6V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.85 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
  7. 7M. Wheaton · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.85 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
  8. 8D. 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.

StatSan Francisco 49ersPittsburgh Steelers
Offensive EPA/play+0.024+0.412
Offensive success rate44.8%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 rate50.7%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

  • Herb MillerPittsburgh Steelers — Herb Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 4:20)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q2 8:11)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Heyward-Bey (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 5:52)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q2 2:00)
  • San Francisco 49ers — A. Boldin (C. Kaepernick pass) (Q4 13:22)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers — unlisted player (Q4 10:32)
  • Tyron SmithSan Francisco 49ers — Tyron Smith (C. Kaepernick pass) (Q4 9:55)
  • Anthony BrownPittsburgh Steelers — Anthony Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 7:49)

Field goals

  • San Francisco 49ers — P. Dawson (Q2 10:32)
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). [WPA +14.5% · EPA +5.30]
  • 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. [WPA +12.0% · EPA +1.32]
  • 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). [WPA +12.0% · EPA +3.95]
  • 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. [WPA -9.5% · EPA -2.38]
  • 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 [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.20]
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. [WPA +0.2% · EPA +6.12]
  • 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). [WPA +14.5% · EPA +5.30]
  • 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). [WPA -7.1% · EPA -5.07]
  • 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 [WPA +0.3% · EPA +4.35]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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