Steelers not ready again to perform in prime time

Pittsburgh made too many mistakes in its loss to the 49ers.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SAN FRANCISCO -- Once again, the Steelers were anything but ready for prime time.
For the fourth time in five games over the past two seasons, Pittsburgh struck out big time after the sun set.
And just like Old Sol, the Steelers' playoff hopes may have sunk into the Pacific Ocean.
Unlike their road losses at Denver and Seattle that were determined late, the Steelers' defeat Monday at 3Com Park was settled before the final quarter began.
Now, Pittsburgh will try to become the first team to make the NFL playoffs after a 3-7 start.
It won't be easy, though an 8-8 record could win the mediocre AFC North.
"We have some tough opponents ahead of us," Cowher said. "I know it's an uphill battle, but that's where we are and it's going to start Sunday in Cleveland. There's no margin for error."
Take advantage of mistakes
Also desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the 49ers (5-5) took advantage of several Steelers mistakes in the first three quarters for a 24-7 lead.
The errors were plentiful:
UPunter Josh Miller had a 30-yard effort in the third quarter, then fumbled a snap and kicked one left-footed just 23 yards. That play led to Todd Peterson's 22-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 27-7 49ers' lead.
UKicker Jeff Reed missed a 45-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter.
"Our two kickers didn't have particularly good nights," Cowher said.
UCornerback Chad Scott was burned by the 49ers' Terrell Owens for a 61-yard first-quarter touchdown. Scott fell as the ball arrived to Owens, but was a few steps behind when he stumbled.
"His touchdown really gave them a boost," safety Brent Alexander said of Owens.
UThe Steelers offense, which depends on being able to run effectively, was limited to 20 yards in the first half and 44 for the game.
Better against the rush
The Steelers gave up 169 yards rushing, but 78 of them came on Kevan Barlow's touchdown run in the third quarter.
"I played a terrible game," Steelers strong safety Mike Logan said. "We have to do some soul searching."
Logan, who was blitzing, accepted blame for Barlow's long score.
"I just took the wrong angle," Logan said. "I kind of got picked off by the guy in front of me. I've got to know that that's going to occur and use better judgment to go outside of that [block]. It's completely on me.
"He used his vision to cutback across the field and he just broke it free."
UThe Steelers defense failed to come up with a turnover.
"We're just not taking the ball away," Cowher said. "Turnovers are important and we need to try harder to strip the running back.
UThe Steelers defense couldn't stop 49ers quarterback Tim Rattay, who was making just his second start and completed 21-of-27 passes for 254 yards.
Rattay cool under pressure
"He wasn't spectacular, but he was steady," Alexander said. "He was able to get rid of the ball quickly so we had trouble getting to him. He was cool under pressure."
UThe Steelers converted 8-of-16 third-down plays.
"All night, we were an inch away here and an inch away there from converting some really big plays, but we just couldn't get it done," quarterback Tommy Maddox said. "We had our opportunities.
"It's frustrating to know that we were moving the ball and then we started to hurt ourselves," Maddox said. "We have to give credit to the [49ers] -- they played well and earned it."