Niners' Passing Game Plagued by Poor Protection

Kaepernick is sacked five times and pressured constantly in loss at Pittsburgh

Through four exhibition games, the 49ers’ offensive line couldn’t protect its quarterback. By the time the regular season began, the makeup of the line had been tweaked, and San Francisco – and its fans – hoped the problem was solved.

Yet on Sunday, in Game 2 of the 2015 NFL season in a loss at Pittsburgh, pass blocking again ranked among the team’s biggest problems.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sacked five times and was under duress almost every time he dropped back to throw.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Kaepernick was pressured on 23 of his 53 dropbacks, the fourth-highest percentage of his career. In the second half, when the 49ers were significantly behind and the Steelers knew the 49ers would have to pass, the pressure was even worse. Kaepernick was pressured on 16 of his 34 dropbacks, according to ESPN.

Kaepernick was able to make some big throws in the fourth quarter, despite the pressure, but for most of the game he had trouble finding his rhythm, in big part because of Steelers defenders constantly getting through the protection.

Kaepernick threw for 335 yards, but was just 11-of-15 for 61 yards in the first half.

“Five sacks is not acceptable,” left offensive tackle Joe Staley told Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. “Despite the numbers (total passing yards), it wasn’t good.”

Right guard Jordan Devey gave up an early sack. Staley said it wasn’t a good day for him, either. And right tackle Erik Pears also had his troubles, plus was penalized three times.

The 49ers didn’t give up a sack against the Vikings in Game 1, but then had big problems in Pittsburgh.

Staley believes the line can rebound.

“It’s a long year,” he said. “It’s only Week 2. One game does not define a season. We had a great game last week and a bad game this week.”

Between the offensive line problems and the secondary – which was riddled by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wideout Antonio Brown – the 49ers (now 1-1) have plenty of work to do this week to get ready for Game 3.

Up next are the Cardinals Sunday in Arizona, at 1:05 p.m.

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