Season Is Becoming a Downer for 49ers

The Pittsburgh Steelers ripped another gaping hole in the San Francisco 49ers’ tattered mystique.

Kordell Stewart, shaking free of his own early season problems, led five scoring drives as the Steelers beat the 49ers, 27-6, on Sunday. It was the fourth consecutive loss and second in a row at home for San Francisco (3-5).

Stewart, whose 60.6 passer rating entering the game ranked in the bottom third in the AFC, completed 15 of 26 passes for 139 yards, cutting through a San Francisco defense that has given up the second-most points and the most yards passing in the NFL.

Jerome Bettis ran for touchdowns of one and 22 yards and Hines Ward caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Stewart, helping the Steelers (5-3) overcome rain and a sloppy field to win for the fourth time in five road games this season.

“We’re going forward,” said Steeler safety Lee Flowers. “We have the momentum and we’re definitely playing well. Holding them to six points says a lot but it’s not surprising because we know what we can do. We earned our respect today. They’re sitting in their locker room all sad or whatever.”

Despite a career-high 166 yards rushing in 20 carries by Charlie Garner, San Francisco’s once vaunted offense was held without a touchdown for the second consecutive game.

“This is eating at me little by little,” said Jerry Rice, who had two catches for two yards. “It’s hard to deal with, but you’ve just got to keep your chin high.” The 49ers scoring output was their lowest at home since the Los Angeles Raiders beat them, 9-3, on Nov. 13, 1988.