49ers vs Dolphins remaining rating, fast reactions

The Miami Dolphins welcomed the San Francisco 49ers into Laborious Rock Stadium on Sunday, seeking to maintain their slim playoff probabilities alive. The 49ers had been eradicated from playoff competition earlier within the day as different recreation outcomes tallied in, however the Dolphins, regardless of an an identical 6-8 document, would keep alive with a win.

Miami would come away with the win. It was not a flashy, high-scoring efficiency, but it surely was systematic they usually did every part they wanted to do to get the victory. Listed below are our reactions from all through the sport.

Remaining Rating
49ers 17 – 29 Dolphins

Quick Reactions
First Quarter
49ers first possession (3 performs, 9 yards)

The Dolphins deferred after successful the coin toss, giving the 49ers the ball first. The drive featured an incomplete move, a completion from quarterback Brock Purdy to tight finish George Kittle, and a run cease for no acquire as working again Patrick Taylor was rotated on the line of scrimmage. San Francisco punted after the three-and-out possession.

Good begin by the protection. Can they stick with it to maintain their playoff probabilities alive?

Dolphins first possession (5 performs, 12 yards)

Miami’s first possession was a two-step ahead, one-step again kind of state of affairs. Working again De’Von Achane was stopped for a one-yard loss on first down, then he caught a move from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for 12 yards and a primary down. Working again Raheem Mostert pickjed up three yards on the subsequent snap, solely to lose two yards on the next play. On Third-and-9, Tagovailoa threw a move immediately into the chest of vast receiver Tryeek Hill for what would have been a primary down, however the receiver dropped the ball and Miami punted.

Not precisely an important begin for the offense. The 49ers are clearly keying on the run proper now, seeking to cease each Achane and Mostert. Miami must make an adjustment and get the bottom recreation going – or else they’ll flip again to the fixed display passes and that has not been working.

49ers second possession (5 performs, 4 yards)

The 49ers started with an 11-yard move from Purdy to vast receiver Jauan Jennings, instantly adopted by a five-yard run from Taylor. A nine-yard run from vast receiver Deebo Samuel appeared to maintain San Francisco transferring, however a holding penalty negated the acquire and arrange 2nd-and-12. The 49ers stored going backwards with a false begin penalty and a six-yard sack by Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, to deliver up Third-and-23. After a run by fullback Kyle Juszczyk for six yards, San Francisco punted once more.

Not as clear a possession for the Dolphins protection, but it surely was nonetheless efficient and the move rush is already beginning to have an effect. They must maintain pressuring Purdy and seeking to make him uncomfortable.

Dolphins second possession (8 performs, 44 yards)

Achane continued to star for the Dolphins early within the recreation, choosing up simply seven yards on the bottom however including 31 receiving yards on two receptions. The drive nearly ended with a spectacular move from Tagovailoa to Hill within the endzone, however the 26-yard throw was tipped simply earlier than Hill may make the reception. Miami settled for the 44-yard area objective.

Miami is clearly seeking to feed the ball to Achane with vast reciever Jaylen Waddle out of the sport attributable to damage. By means of two possessions he has three carries for six yards and three receptions for 43 yards. He’s getting used as a weapon in a number of methods, not only a working again popping out of the backfield – one thing Miami must maintain doing the remainder of the season.

Dolphins 3-0.

49ers third possession

San Francisco began the drive with a 21-yard move to Ricky Pearsall, however confronted a 4th-and-1 4 performs later. They transformed with a four-yard acquire, however then added free yardage when the Dolphins had been referred to as for 12 males on the sphere and that was enforced. The subsequent play appeared like a turnover as a tipped move was intercepted by defensive sort out Benito Jones, however the ball scraped the bottom as Jones made the play and, regardless of having his helmet knocked off and persevering with the play, it was simply an incomplete move. Two performs later, going through Third-and-10, Purdy discovered Samuel, who slipped a sort out and picked up 17 yards. Taylor ran for 9 yards all the way down to the Miami nine-yard line as the primary quarter ended.

Second Quarter
49ers third possession (continued) (10 performs, 70 yards)

The primary play after the break noticed defensive sort out Zach Sieler get via the road to sack Purdy, however the 49ers scored on a 16-yard move to Samuel, who fought via a number of tackles to succeed in the endzone.

The Dolphins protection was nearly adequate on that drive. They nearly had the interception. They nearly pushed the 49ers again with the Sieler sack. They nearly made the sort out on Samuel to cease him from scoring. Virtually shouldn’t be going to chop it. They should get again to hitting Purdy early within the drive, quite than making an attempt to play bend don’t break.

Picture by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Pictures

The close to interception from Jones was nice. Would have been such an important spotlight if it counted.

49ers 7-3.

Dolphins third possession (11 performs, 49 yards)

Miami started the drive with a 24-yard move from Tagovailoa to Hill, adopted by a run from Achane for eight and a reception by tight finish Jonnu Smith for an additional eight yards. The Dolphins seemed to be in rhythm and prepared to reply to the 49ers’ landing. A seven-yard Achane run was transformed for a primary down two performs afterward a move to vast receiver Malik Washington for 5 yards. The drive stalled after that, nonetheless, as a holding penalty backed Miami right into a 1st-and-17 from the 49ers’ 24 yard line. The Dolphins settled for a area objective on the next 4th-and-13 play.

Not going to chop it. The self-inflicted penalties proceed to be a difficulty with this Dolphins crew. All the things was working, however the Dolphins depend on the brief passing recreation, and going through a long-distance state of affairs on first down is a killer. Miami can’t be settling for area objectives.

49ers 7-6.

49ers fourth possession (3 performs, -9 yards)

The Dolphins protection was again in nearly mode within the subsequent 49ers drive – nearly recording a sack on Purdy 3 times on two performs. They weren’t capable of pull him down, however they did arrange a Third-and-9, which turned a Third-and-15 after a false begin penalty, then change into a 4th-and-19 after one other false begin penalty. San Francisco punted.

Purdy one way or the other spun out of these sacks, leaving the Dolphins defenders holding nothing however air. At the very least the stress is making him uncomfortable.

Dolphins fourth possession (8 performs, 68 yards)

Miami’s offense continued to look in rhythm, with out the penalties, on the possession. A seven-yard run from Achane was adopted by a 14-yard move from Tagovailoa to Mostert. Two performs after a Mostert run for 20 yards, Tagovailoa threw to Washington for 19 yards to arrange 1st-and-Aim from the San Francisco seven-yard line. Achane picked up two yards on every of the primary two performs earlier than Tagovailoa threw to Hill for the three-yard rating.

Significantly better by the offense, and never with the drive-killing penalty. They’re mixing it up effectively proper now, holding the run and the move as choices on each snap. The Mostert 20-yard reception got here on a working again display, with middle Aaron Brewer doing an important job of sliding out to be the lead blocker, with out transferring down area to be referred to as for a penalty. Good drive for the Dolphins.

Dolphins 13-7.

49ers fifth possession (9 performs, 67 yards)

With 3:20 remaining on the clock within the first half, San Francisco got here out firing. A 24-yard acquire on a display move to Kittle moved the 49ers from their 30-yard line to the Miami 46. Purdy then threw to Jennings for a 16-yard acquire, main into the two-minute warning. After the break, Kittle caught one other brief move and turned it right into a 12-yard acquire. Miami labored their timeouts in the course of the subsequent few performs, with San Francisco working the ball slowly all the way down to the Dolphins’ 3 yard line, the place they confronted Third-and-Aim. Purdy threw towards a large open Kittle, however rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson tipped the ball on the line of scrimmage, resulting in a 49ers area objective.

Bend don’t break once more. The protection acquired fortunate the Robinson’s hand was within the actual proper spot or else that may be a landing. They labored the timeouts to provide themselves an opportunity on offense to reply. Can they do it was 47 seconds?

Dolphins fifth possession (4 performs, 17 yards)

Miami appeared to maneuver the ball rapidly, beginning with an 11-yard move from Tagovailoa to Smith. Tagovailoa deliberately threw the ball brief on the subsequent two performs, selecting to cease the clock quite than choose up minimal yardage and maintain the clock working. On Third-and-10, he discovered vast receiver River Cracraft on a crossing route for six yards, letting the clock run to halftime after the play.

They had been in search of the deep move, however the 49ers did an important job of slowing Hill and holding him from getting a clear launch. Miami wished to do one thing, however they didn’t drive something and put themselves in a foul place with an interception. Strong selections by Tagovailoa and Miami heads into the half with the lead.

Halftime Ideas

The Dolphins are doing simply sufficient to remain on this recreation and maintain themselves forward of the 49ers. There has not been a rise up and scream second, however they’re getting strong good points on offense and making simply sufficient performs on protection. They simply want to come back away with the win – irrespective of how they get there.

Tagovailoa is 13-for-20 for 141 yards with a landing. Achane has 33 yards on 9 carries whereas Mostert has 26 yards on 5 makes an attempt. Achane additionally has three receptions for 43 yards, with Washington including three catches of his personal, choosing up 28 yards. Hill has two receptions for 27 yards and a rating whereas Smith has two catches for 19 yards.

On protection, Brooks and Sieler every have a sack, whereas Robinson, linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey have all been capable of get stress on Prudy. Robinson additionally has the move defensed to cease a 49ers landing.

Kicker Jason Sanders is 2-for-2 on area objectives with an extended of 44 yards, together with 1-for-1 on additional level makes an attempt.

Miami begins with the ball within the second half. They should come out with a strong script of performs to get down the sphere and add to the lead. It’s time to press the gasoline pedal via the ground.

Third Quarter
Dolphins sixth possession (8 performs, 34 yards)

Miami benefitted from a penalty to start out the drive, with the 49ers flagged for pointless roughness on the primary play, leaping the ball from the 30-yard line out to the 46. Three performs later, on Third-and-2, Miami turned to working again Jeff Wilson, Jr., who picked up six yards on every of his back-to-back carries. Tagovailoa then threw throughout the center to Hill for a 13-yard acquire, however a holding penalty negated the play and pushed Miami right into a Third-and-14. Achane picked up eight yards on a brief move, establishing a 54-yard area objective try. Sanders related on the kick to increase Miami’s lead.

The drive once more stalled after a Miami penalty. They had been on monitor for a landing, however the 10-yard loss – primarily a 23 yard loss if you add within the negated move – led to the sphere objective. At the very least Sanders has been cash on lengthy kicks currently, and the Dolphins had been capable of prolong the lead. They should discover the endzone once more, however at the very least they used the opening drive of the half to attain and maintain the stress on the 49ers.

Dolphins 16-10.

49ers sixth possession (9 performs, 47 yards)

The 49ers ran a really Miami-like drive, choosing up chunks of yards, together with an 11-yard move to Samuel on the opening play and a 28-yard move to Kittle just a few performs later. Nevertheless, penalties popped up as Pearsall was referred to as twice for unlawful formations, certainly one of which negated a 16-yard move to Samuel that moved San Francisco to the Miami two-yard line. Finally, the 49ers lined up for a 41-yard area objective, however the kick went vast left.

Miami acquired fortunate right here – the 49ers ought to have scored a landing. Pearsall made rookie errors and the Dolphins can’t be relying on that. They escaped and now the offense wants so as to add extra factors.

Dolphins seventh possession (9 performs, 53 yards)

Wow. Smith simply set the franchise document for receptions by a good finish in a season. Now at 75.#ProBowlVote Jonnu Smith

— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) December 22, 2024

Miami began at their 31-yard line after the miss by the 49ers. Mostert picked up seven yards to open the possession, then added two yards on the second play. On Third-and-1, Tagovailoa was pressured however discovered Hill within the flat for 2 yards and a primary down. Tagovailoa once more went to the air, gaining 12 yards on a display move to Achane and 22 yards on a move to Smith over the center. After a botched snap with Tagovailoa leaping on the fumbled, the Dolphins moved as much as the 49ers 16-yard line on a nine-yard display move to Smith. An incomplete move to Hill within the endzone led to a 33-yard Sanders area objective.

Once more, not the landing they should rating, however settling for a area objective there extends the result in 9 factors, holding them at the very least two scores within the lead. The protection must make one other cease, however Miami is continuous to just do sufficient.

Dolphins 19-10

49ers seventh possession

San Francisco was gifted a begin on the 40-yard line after Sanders’ kickoff went out of bounds. The 49ers offense turned to Samuel on the primary two performs, with the receiver catching a display move for 9 yards then taking a handoff for 13 yards. The quarter ended after the run.

Fourth Quarter
49ers seventh possession (continued) (9 performs, 60 yards)

Samuel proceed his assault after the break, choosing up 11 yards on a display move on the second play. From the Miami 23-yard line, Purdy discovered Kittle for seven yards, then, two performs later, related with him once more for 11 extra. Two performs later, on 2nd-and-Aim from the Miami two-yard line, Purdy threw to tight finish Eric Saubert for the landing.

Not good. Miami gave up too many yards too simply on that possession. Abruptly it’s a two-point recreation and the Dolphins have to make one thing occur rapidly.

Dolphins eighth possession (5 performs, 21 yards)

After an incomplete move and a three-yard acquire on a move to Smith appeared to set Miami up for an extended third down play, a flag on a late hit on Smith gave the Dolphins a free first down and 15 yards. Miami was unable to do something with it, nonetheless, as a holding penalty on second down pushed Miami again and led to a punt.

The offense acquired in their very own manner, and now the protection has to make a cease. The offense is looking for methods to maintain the clock working, however the penalties are crushing the Dolphins potential to manage this recreation.

49ers eighth possession (4 performs, 27 yards)

The 49ers began with a 20-yard acquire on a brief move and run from Juszczyk, however the drive died after that, with the offense solely including six extra yards earlier than punting from the 49ers’ 27 yard line.

That first play was scary, however the protection locked it down after that. Can the offense management the ball for a lot of the 6:45 remaining?

Dolphins ninth possession

Sanders with FG #5 on the day.

22-17 Miami.

— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) December 23, 2024

Achane picked up eight yards, with an extra 15 yards added on an pointless roughness penalty, on the primary play, then had a defensive offside give them an extra 5 yards. Achane ran for 4 yards and 7 yards on the subsequent two snaps. The drive bumped into points there, nonetheless, with Mostert working for no acquire, then Achane choosing up seven yards on a reception earlier than Mostert misplaced two yards on Third-and-3. Sanders related on his fifth area objective of the day, this time from 48 yards, to finish the drive.

It was not the landing they want, however Sanders’ fifth area objective has the 49ers needing a landing with 2:10 remaining within the recreation. The protection must make a play and they should make it now.

Dolphins 22-17

49ers ninth possession

Purdy stepped as much as keep away from the stress on first down, discovering Jennings for a 17-yard acquire and transferring the ball out close to midfield because the two-minute warning hit. After the break, defensive lineman Calais Campbell pressured Purdy up the center and he threw a brief move with cornerback Kader Kohou choosing off the move.

YES!!!!!! YES!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let’s go! The offense nonetheless wants to manage the ball to make the 490ers use their timeouts, however it’s getting shut.

KADER MOTHERF***ING KOHOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) December 23, 2024

Dolphins tenth possession (3 performs, 62 yards)

Achane picked up eight yards to start out the drive, with fullback Alec Ingold changing the primary down after a 49ers timeout. After the second timeout by the 49ers, Achane took a pitch to the fitting 50 yards for the landing.

Romo needs to speak about Achane ought to have slid to permit the Dolphins to kill the clock – however the factors really feel so significantly better. A 50-yard landing run is wonderful, and it’s a 12-point recreation with a bit over a minute to play and the 49ers have one timeout. Will probably be okay.

49ers tenth possession

The Dolphins performed mushy protection, making an attempt to make sure the clock stored working all through the drive. The 49ers gained some yards, however the clock was clearly their enemy and it was working. On 2nd-and-10 from the Miami 47-yard line, Robinson recorded the sack, primarily guaranteeing the win because the 49ers had been pressured to name a timeout. San Francisco added 36 yards on two passes with spikes to attempt to save time between the completions, however on 4th-and-1, security Jevon Holland almost picked off the move, however the incompletion turned the ball over on downs to Miami.

That’s the recreation! Miami comes away with the win and stays alive within the playoff hunt one way or the other.

Dolphins eleventh possession

Miami knelt to kill the ultimate 10 seconds.