SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Two straight losses to open the year, a season-ending injury to the franchise quarterback, and a West Coast trip to face an undefeated team all add up to many people writing off the Pittsburgh Steelers before the end of September.

That’s just the way coach Mike Tomlin likes it.

“I don’t care about many people’s eyes and things of that nature, man,” he said. “We’re used to living in the eye of the storm in this business at this level. I do enjoy the challenges and the adversity that the game presents, so from that standpoint it does create a sense of urgency that’s a good fuel. But in terms of perceptions and what people are saying outside our organization, it would be tough for me to care less.”

The Steelers (0-2) are counting on that urgency to make up for the loss of Ben Roethlisberger to an elbow injury and help Mason Rudolph succeed in his first career start when Pittsburgh takes on San Francisco (2-0) in the 49ers’ home opener on Sunday.

Rudolph, a third-round pick out of Oklahoma State in 2018, beat out Josh Dobbs during training camp to be the primary backup. He played well last week during a half of work against Seattle, completing 12 of 19 passes for 112 yards with two touchdowns and an interception that came off a tipped pass.

Rudolph said he was ready for his moment even if he hadn’t even gotten on the field in his first 17 games as a pro.

“There have been plenty of quarterbacks who hadn’t played immediately. I was encouraged by that,” he said. “I tried to have a long-term mentality and understand that hopefully we play in this game a long time. And as long as I am ready for my opportunity, that’s kind of all that matters.”

While the message for the Steelers is hope isn’t lost despite the rough start to the season, the 49ers are trying to avoid complacency after opening the season with double-digit wins at Tampa Bay and Cincinnati.

It has been rare success for a team that took until December to win its second game in coach Kyle Shanahan’s first season in 2017 and until November last year.

“I think our team is smart enough and knows the deal. There’s not one person in our building, at least that I’ve noticed, that feels like we’ve arrived by any means,” Shanahan said.

Here are some other things to watch:

IF THE SAFETY FITZ

Pittsburgh expects to start newly acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick just days after acquiring him from Miami. The Steelers parted with three picks, including a first-rounder in 2020, for the opportunity to bring in the versatile 22-year-old Fitzpatrick. Though Fitzpatrick played multiple positions with the Dolphins, Tomlin expects to “anchor” Fitzpatrick at free safety until he gets acclimated.

MEH MONCRIEF

Steelers wide receiver Donte Moncrief could be out of a starting job just two games into his time with Pittsburgh.