What we learned as Purdy, Aiyuk, CMC carve up Steelers in 49ers’ win

BOX SCORE PITTSBURGH — Aside from a one-minute lapse at the end of the first half, the 49ers' 2023 NFL season opener was about as good as it could possibly get for Kyle Shanahan's team. Quarterback Brock Purdy, just six months removed from elbow surgery, sliced up the Pittsburgh Steelers while the 49ers' defense looked every bit as dominant as it did a year ago. The 49ers blasted out to a 20-point lead and cruised to a convincing 30-7 victory over the Steelers in the regular-season opener. Newly signed Nick Bosa started and played almost the entire first half, as the 49ers' defense did not allow a first down through five Steelers possessions. Running back Christian McCaffrey had a huge game as he began his first full season with the 49ers after arriving last year in a midseason trade from the Carolina Panthers. McCaffrey rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown on 22 attempts, and broke the game open with a long touchdown run on the first drive of the second half. The Steelers' offense finally showed some hints of life with a 95-yard touchdown drive to close the first half. But their momentum lasted less than a minute of game action. McCaffrey darted around the left side and picked...