The Pittsburgh Steelers utilized the third-down play-making of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to defeat the San Francisco 49ers, 43-18, on Sunday.
"Big Ben" threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Veteran running back DeAngelo Williams rushed for three scores as well. The 49ers did not force a turnover and the Steelers quarterback was not sacked on the day either.
Jim Tomsula attributed the lack of pressure to the Steelers employing max-protect schemes with two to three players out on routes.
When asked to explain San Francisco's struggles in Pittsburgh, Dorsey owned the performance while speaking to the Bay Area media on Monday.
"He's a great quarterback," Dorsey said. "You have to get off the field. It starts on first and second down and you always want to execute on third downs. We didn't do that for the most part. They were pretty consistent with their gameplan. They played a good game. "We took it to the chin," the starting left defensive tackle added. "But there's a lot of football to be played. We just have to man up, do your job, and come in and get ready for Arizona."
Dorsey said that the team's focus is set on the season's first divisional game. What transpired in Pittsburgh will be dissected by the players and coaching staff, but this week's mindset is all about moving on to the next challenge.
"Everybody's looking forward to coming out this week and working hard," said Dorsey, who was credited with two tackles against the Steelers. "We started working already, so we're just looking forward to Arizona."
For a second-straight week, the 49ers will prepare for another well-known signal-caller. Carson Palmer, who is 10 months removed from an ACL tear, has put up impressive numbers in his 13th year in the league. Palmer has thrown seven touchdowns against one interception in two victories to start the 2015 campaign.
Dorsey said moving on from Roethlisberger to Palmer presents a new set of challenges.
"They both are good quarterbacks," Dorsey said. "They both can throw the ball. They both can sling the rock. They're both smart, and they bring a lot to the game. But it's the NFL. That's a lot of quarterbacks.
"You're going to face that week to week. So you always have to be on your A-game. Hopefully we can get it going this week and play well."
Arizona ranks 12th in the NFL in passing, averaging 246 yards per game through the air. The Cardinals have not allowed a sack on the season, and that's without the services of former 49ers Pro Bowler Mike Iupati, who suffered a meniscus injury in training camp. Arizona's new left guard has told reporters he expects to play in Week 3 against the 49ers.
If in the starting lineup, Iupati would go up against San Francisco's right defensive tackle, Quinton Dial.
Dorsey figures to face right guard, Jonathan Cooper.
Studying the former first-round pick's game tape will be welcomed by Dorsey, who relishes turning the page on a weekly basis.
"We've got a great group of guys and coaches to correct our mistakes and that's my favorite part of the game," Dorsey said. "You have a whole week to do it again. We'll be all right."
