Tua, Fins defeated the 49ers to keep the season alive

MIAMI GARDENS – The Miami Dolphins hosted the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins needed a win to keep their NFL playoff hopes alive.

It happened.

It was Dolphins 29, 49ers 17.

Jason Sanders made all five of his field goals for the Dolphins as their season stayed alive.

The Dolphins (7-8) still have a chance to finish with a winning record for the fifth straight year.

According to the New York Times Playoff Predictor, postseason odds are at 10%.

The 49ers (6-9) were officially eliminated shortly before kickoff.

Kader Kohou sealed the win with an interception from Brock Purdy with two minutes left in the game. Purdy was pressured by Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell.

The final throw was a 50-yard touchdown run by De’Von Achane with 1:36 left to play.

How the Dolphins can still make it to the NFL playoffs

The Dolphins will finish their regular season with road trips at the Browns and Jets.

Miami leads Cleveland by 3.5 points.

If Miami can win and 2) the Colts lose at the Giants OR lose to the Jaguars and 3) the Broncos lose at the Bengals and lose to the Chiefs OR the Chargers lose at the Patriots and the Raiders, Miami would somehow sneak in for the third time Follow in the playoffs.

Here are our instant scores for Dolphins vs. 49ers

quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa completed his 100th career touchdown pass just before halftime, a 3-yarder to Tyreek Hill that gave him a 13-7 lead.

Tua was attempting to become the first quarterback in NFL history to reach the 70% mark in nine straight games, breaking a tie with Joe Montana and Drew Brees.

Tua didn’t get above 70% on Sunday, so he remains tied with those two quarterbacks.

Degree: b

Running backs

De’Von Achane had back-to-back catches of 11 and 20 yards in the first quarter.

Achane surpassed 120 rushing yards, mostly on the game-breaker, to secure the victory.

Raheem Mostert had a determined 20-yard run against his former team just before halftime.

The Dolphins got a decent run game going at times on Sunday, which hasn’t been the case at all in recent weeks.

Degree: b

Recipient

Tyreek Hill dropped a third-down pass from Tua in the first quarter.

Just before halftime, Hill caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Tua on third down.

There were two other plays in the end zone where Hill had a chance for a touchdown but failed to do so. One was slightly tilted. One hit him in the stomach.

It just doesn’t look like Hill, playing with a wrist injury, will be himself in 2024.

Rookie Malik Washington is proving to be a good choice in the sixth round and is proving his toughness.

Degree: C-

Tight ends

Jonnu Smith had a 22-yard reception in the third quarter.

Degree: C

Offensive line

Isaiah Wynn started at right back for Liam Eichenberg, although Eichenberg also played. Rob Jones was called upon to hold the red zone in the second quarter and hold again in the fourth quarter.

Aaron Brewer had to hold on in the third quarter.

The pass protection was pretty solid with the returns of Terron Armstead and Kendall Fuller.

Degree: b

Defensive line

Zach Sieler and Emmanuel Ogbah had sacks in the first half.

Degree: C+

Linebacker/Edge

Middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks had a sack on a blitz in the first quarter. Brooks has played very aggressively this season and has been a very strong tackler for Miami.

Rookie Chop Robinson tipped a pass on third down to stop a 49ers touchdown attempt in the red zone.

Degree: b

Defensive backs

Jevon Holland missed two tackle attempts on Deebo Samuel in the first half.

Jevon has 0 INTs, a decline in tackles and a PFF grade of 61.3 after 90.4 last season.

Jordan Poyer was also involved in one of the missed tackles as Samuel raced into the Miami end zone.

Degree: C-

Special teams

Jason Sanders made field goals of 44, 38, 54, 33 and 48 yards, continuing his winning streak.

After making his first five field goals, Sanders improved to a stellar 33-for-37 mark this season.

Sanders had taken 23 shots in a row, breaking his own club record.

Degree: B+

Coaching

According to Pro Football Reference, Mike McDaniel is 4-for-16 in challenges. McDaniel fought off a potential interception by Benito Jones and lost.

Degree: b

Inactive Miami Dolphins:Terron Armstead? Tyreek Hill? Jaylen Waddle?

Joe Schad:The Miami Dolphins need to accept and address their offensive line construction flaws

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

Leave a Reply Cancel reply