As starts go, the 49ers could hardly have asked for a better one in the first half of their Week 1 clash with the Steelers.

The 49ers raced into a 20-0 lead in a tough season opener in Pittsburgh, quieting a raucous Acrisure Stadium crowd with a superb performance on both sides of the ball.

For Kyle Shanahan, the only complaint will be San Francisco's final defensive series of the half, one which saw the Steelers score a touchdown on a drive that started on their own five-yard line. However, if they avoid complacency and maintain the standards they set in the first half, that late blemish is unlikely to come back to bite them. Here are my observations from the opening two quarters.

Purdy picks up where he left off

Any concerns about how Brock Purdy would look in his first regular-season game back from elbow surgery were quickly assuaged by his excellent first-half showing.

Purdy was assured under pressure, looked extremely decisive and demonstrated an excellent rapport with one of his favorite targets from last season, Brandon Aiyuk.

He connected with Aiyuk for two touchdowns, the receiver beating veteran Patrick Peterson on both, the second a perfectly placed 19-yard back shoulder throw.

Purdy also displayed excellent awareness on the red zone possession that did not end in a touchdown, recovering a fumble on his back after a sack from T.J. Watt to preserve the shot at a field goal.

The 49ers quarterback finished the first half 14 for 21, 154 yards and two touchdowns, providing San Francisco with yet more reason to believe he is the right man under center.

Drake Jackson has his coming out party

The 49ers dominated both lines of scrimmage in the first half, enjoying great success on the ground with gap scheme runs up the middle, Christian McCaffrey rushing for 52 yards in the first half.

But their superiority in the trenches was most evident on the defensive side of the ball, with the 49ers refusing to allow Pittsburgh a single first down until 1:16 remaining in the first half.

The Steelers managed just two yards on the ground in the first two quarters, while Drake Jackson, whom the 49ers hope will take the leap as a second-year edge rusher, recorded two sacks in what could prove the start of a breakout year.

If the 49ers continue to win the trenches battle with such authority, they will have no trouble closing this one out.

Charvarius Ward excels in coverage

Cornerback Charvarius Ward game into the game questionable with a heel injury.

That made his first-half performance all the more impressive. The first Jackson sack came as a result of blanket coverage across the board, and Ward then picked off Kenny Pickett on the next series when he had superb coverage downfield on an ill-advised throw. 

Ward later was stride for stride with George Pickens on a deep shot on the final drive of the first half, though that drive did end in points for the Steelers as Pickett found Pat Freiermuth for a touchdown at the end of a 95-yard drive.

That drive featured two penalties on Deommodore Lenoir, one for a late hit on Najee Harris after his first-down run and another for illegal contact on third down in the red zone. Mixed fortunes for the 49ers' two starters at corner.

George Kittle, Charvarius Ward active for the 49ers in Week 1

All the starters are ready to go.

Featured Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports