Miami Dolphins keep slim playoff chances alive by running all over San Francisco 49ers in 29-17 victory.
Let me say this first before the comments section of this article is filled with incessant “yeah-buts.”
No, the San Francisco 49ers do not have a winning record this season. No, the Dolphins didn’t defeat a playoff bound opponent in week 16. No, narratives were not busted with Miami’s 29-17 defeat of Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel’s squad.
But, it sure feels good to get a win anyway!
With the Miami Dolphins winning on Sunday, thanks to a full team effort from all three phases of the game (5 for 5 on field goal attempts from Jason Sanders), the team keeps their razor thin playoff chances alive. Now all they need to do is win their final two regular season games, plus get two more losses from the Denver Broncos and single losses from the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers.
Is it probable that the Dolphins make the postseason? Not really. But, we’ll worry about that this upcoming Sunday. For now, we’ll enjoy this win while we take a look back at the good, bad and ugly from Miami’s 12 point victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
GOOD
Dolphins’ ground game propels them to victory
It has been awhile since the Miami Dolphins dominated a game on the ground like they did against the 49ers on Sunday. In fact, the team hadn’t run for over 100 yards since they put up 149 yards against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. Their largest total on the ground since that game was an 82-yard output against the Raiders in Week 11, with a low of 39 yards on the ground against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving.
Against the 49ers, the Dolphins got back to pounding the rock, totaling 166 yards on 30 carries — good for a 5.5 yards per carry average.
De’Von Achane led the way — amassing 17 carries for 120 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and a game-sealing rushing score. Raheem Mostert tacked on 8 carries for 31 yards. Jeff Wilson saw two carries — gaining 12 yards on those attempts.
With guard Isaiah Wynn finally being reinserted into the lineup, the Dolphins remembered how to punish an opponent on the ground — mainly using the bullying crack-toss concept to inflict damage.
Let’s hope their success on the ground continues through the team’s final two regular season contests.
BAD
Tyreek Hill continues frustrating season
Tyreek Hill found the endzone on Sunday — nabbing a short 3-yard touchdown reception off of a quick throw from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the second quarter against the 49ers.
However, the rest of his afternoon/evening was nothing to write home about.
Hill once again had a few ugly drops in this one — a continuation of his discouraging trend of coming up small in big moments. Two of his drops would have been long touchdowns — one in the first quarter, and another in the third, but even though Tagovailoa’s passes hit the receiver in both hands, Hill couldn’t come down with the scores.
Hill brought in just 3 of his 7 targets on the day — totaling just 29 yards through the air.
The receiver spoke on his lackluster performance after the game:
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill attributed his drops today to a lack of reps during the week:
“Those vet rest days are starting to show … those Wednesday reps are definitely showing. As a leader, I need to bite the bullet and get those reps with Tua.”
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 23, 2024
The man nicknamed “The Cheetah” has been paid extraordinary money to have a painfully ordinary season for the Dolphins, and some are beginning to wonder if it will be time to move on from the soon-to-be 31-year-old this coming offseason.
UGLY
Dolphins lose starting cornerback Kendall Fuller to knee injury
The injury bug continues to attack the Miami Dolphins in 2024 — this time targeting starting cornerback Kendall Fuller’s knee.
Fuller left Sunday’s contest in the second half and was unable to return.
Miami’s soon-to-be 30-year-old starting cornerback has been dinged up numerous times this season, including multiple absences due to concussions suffered in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks and another against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10 — with the latter costing Fuller three weeks of playing time.
The Dolphins will once again turn to undrafted rookie defensive back Storm Duck to fill Fuller’s spot if the cornerback is unable to suit up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.
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The Dolphins got a much needed win on Sunday by toppling the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 29-17. Their playoff hopes are still alive, but they’ll need some help to get into the postseason dance. Do you think they can do their part by winning the next two games against the Browns and the New York Jets on the road? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
