Three biggest takeaways from Steelers' Week 1 loss

There were not a lot of positives for the Steelers in Week 1. Here are the three biggest takeaways from Pittsburgh's 30-7 loss to the 49ers.

Far from perfect

Quarterback Kenny Pickett had a preseason to remember, completing 13-of-15 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns and posting a perfect passer rating of 158.3. However, he was anything but that on Sunday. The second-year quarterback completed 31-of-46 for 232 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Pickett struggled mightily, missing wide-open targets and looking flustered for the majority of the afternoon. Of course, there's more blame to go around than just to Pickett. But he is a leader and team captain and certainly didn't do anything to give fans in Pittsburgh optimism for the rest of the year.

T.J. Watt is still dominant

Watt was one of the few silver linings from the matchup. After missing seven games with a torn pectoral muscle in 2022, Watt looked like his old self, posting three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one tackle for a loss and five quarterback hits in his best effort to keep the Steelers in the game.

Although it obviously wasn't enough, he still tied James Harrison's franchise sack record of 80.5 sacks. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year may just get his second DPOY. award if he continues playing the way he did in Week 1.

Health in question

When it rains, it pours. Pittsburgh's tough loss was followed by several impactful injuries. After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin said that DT Cameron Heyward suffered a groin injury, DE DeMarvin Leal injured his tricep, right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor is in concussion protocol and WR Diontae Johnson has a hamstring injury.

The seriousness of the injuries is still unknown, but if the injuries of Heyward, Okorafor or Johnson -- all starters -- keep them out for an extended period of time, the Steelers could be in trouble. Pittsburgh must find a way to bounce back on Monday night against the Browns (1-0). Injuries won't help with that.