Pittsburgh @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2015 ) San Francisco 18, Pittsburgh 43

The Pittsburgh Steelers will try to avoid starting 0-3 for the first time since 2013 on Sunday when they visit the San Francisco 49ers, who are aiming for their first 3-0 start since 1998. The Steelers have given up 61 points through the first two weeks while losing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the season with a right elbow injury, giving Mason Rudolph the keys to the offense.

Rudolph took over for Roethlisberger during last week's 28-26 loss to Seattle and threw for 112 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. "I am completely confident in myself, being a leader of a team, and playing games," Rudolph told reporters. "That's what it all comes down to. If that's the case, I'm ready to roll." The 49ers know all about early-season quarterback injuries after losing starter Jimmy Garoppolo in the third game in 2018, but the 27-year-old is healthy and thriving this year, throwing for 296 yards and three TDs in a 41-17 drubbing of Cincinnati last week. San Francisco ranks third in the NFL in scoring (36 points per game) and seventh in total offense (413.5 yards per game).

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: 49ers -6.5. O/U: 43

ABOUT THE STEELERS (0-2): While Pittsburgh's offense is uncertain after the loss of Roethlisberger, its defense is in need of improvement after allowing an average of 445 yards through the first two games. "We've just got to get things figured out," linebacker T.J. Watt told ESPN.com. "It's kind of a mix of a lot of things. We'll practice and get it figured out. We feel like we have a good beat on it." In a move some labeled as desperate, the Steelers nabbed safety Minkah Fitzpatrick -- the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft - in a trade with Miami and expect him to immediately play a key role.

ABOUT THE 49ERS (2-0): Garoppolo has been supported by a committee of running backs that has produced 178.5 rushing yards per game - fourth in the NFL. Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert lead the way as the two have combined for 281 yards on 49 carries, good for an average of 5.7 per attempt. Defensive end Arik Armstead has two of the team's seven sacks while opponents have managed to sack Garoppolo only once.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Steelers RB James Conner was held to 54 yards through the first two games and is questionable for this one with a knee injury.

2. 49ers DE Dee Ford, who had 13 sacks with Kansas City last year, was limited last week because of a quadriceps injury and is questionable for Sunday.

3. San Francisco owns an 11-10 series advantage, losing the most recent encounter 43-18 in 2015 as Roethlisberger threw for 369 yards and three TDs.

PREDICTION: 49ers 24, Steelers 20