Steelers fail test in West

The 49ers sent Pittsburgh to its sixth loss in seven games.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SAN FRANCISCO -- Surrendering 14 points in 14 seconds terminated the Pittsburgh Steelers' opportunity to climb back into the AFC North Division title chase.
The San Francisco 49ers scored two touchdowns in quick succession late in the third quarter to turn a competitive Monday night game into a rout.
Wide receiver Terrell Owens' 61-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and running back Kevan Barlow's 78-yard scoring run, combined with a costly fumble by the Steelers' Antwaan Randle El, added up to a 30-14 loss to the 49ers at 3Com Park.
"Our backs are definitely against the wall," said coach Bill Cowher after the Steelers' (3-7) sixth loss in seven games. "That was disappointing."
The 49ers (5-5) won their second consecutive game to remain two games behind the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.
On the board
Trailing 10-0 at halftime, the Steelers came to life on their first possession of the second half with a nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive capped by Jerome Bettis' 1-yard touchdown run.
The drive came after Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward was temporarily knocked out of the game when he stumbled stretching for an overthrown pass and landed on his neck.
Minus his go-to-guy, quarterback Tommy Maddox marched the Steelers downfield, connecting with wide receivers Chris Doering and Plaxico Burress for 21- and 24-yard gains.
Maddox completed 35-of-47 passes for 327 yards.
"Tommy threw the ball accurately and he did a good job of running the ball," Cowher said.
After an exchange of punts, Barlow escaped several tacklers for the longest touchdown of his three-year career. Helping to spring Barlow was a block far downfield by Owens.
"The block he made might be as impressive as anything I've seen him do," 49ers coach Dennis Erickson said. "He's made some great plays, but that was something. He just stayed with them and blocked two guys."
Erickson said the play worked because the Steelers were blitzing from the outside.
"We ran a counter play and both outside [blitzers] went right by the play," he said.
Steelers safety Brent Alexander was one of the victims.
"I hit a gap and he broke through," Alexander said. "That was a backbreaker -- he saw a hole and he knew what to do."
Cowher admitted that "Barlow's run took a lot out of us. We missed a few tackles on that play."
Rolling
The 49ers, who retired Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott's uniform at halftime, were just warming up.
On the ensuing kickoff, Randle El was hit by Dwaine Carpenter and fumbled. The 49ers' Sean Moran recovered at the Pittsburgh 28.
On the next play, quarterback Tim Rattay hit fullback Fred Beasley with a 28-yard touchdown pass for a 24-7 lead.
"That took the wind out of our sails," Alexander said.
Rattay credited preparation.
"We worked on it in practice, so I just threw it up and he made a great play," said Rattay, who won his second consecutive start since replacing injured Jeff Garcia.
Beasley, who beat safety Mike Logan's coverage, said the call "was a good play the defense wasn't expecting. Tim gave me a chance to catch the ball and I just hauled it in."
Beasley's reception was Rattay's second scoring toss. In the first quarter, Rattay completed his first five passes, including a long strike to Owens, who beat the coverage of cornerback Chad Scott.
The 49ers' other key play in the first half came when Maddox threw to tight end Jay Riemersma, who was crunched by 49ers cornerback Ahmed Plummer. The ball deflected off Riemersma's hands into the air where safety Tony Parrish caught it and ran 48 yards.
"On defense, we're taught to run to the ball," Plummer said. "I saw the tight end was about to catch it so I just moved in."
Four plays later, former Steeler Todd Peterson kicked a 32-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.
williams@vindy.com