49ers vs Dolphins final score, immediate reactions

The Miami Dolphins hosted the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 with their playoff hopes on the line.

The Miami Dolphins welcomed the San Francisco 49ers into Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, looking to keep their slim playoff chances alive. The 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day as other game results tallied in, but the Dolphins, despite an identical 6-8 record, would stay alive with a win.

Miami would come away with the win. It was not a flashy, high-scoring performance, but it was systematic and they did everything they needed to do to get the victory. Here are our reactions from throughout the game.

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Final Score

49ers 17 – 29 Dolphins

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Immediate Reactions

First Quarter

49ers first possession (3 plays, 9 yards)

The Dolphins deferred after winning the coin toss, giving the 49ers the ball first. The drive featured an incomplete pass, a completion from quarterback Brock Purdy to tight end George Kittle, and a run stop for no gain as running back Patrick Taylor was turned around at the line of scrimmage. San Francisco punted after the three-and-out possession.

Good start by the defense. Can they keep it up to keep their playoff chances alive?

Dolphins first possession (5 plays, 12 yards)

Miami’s first possession was a two-step forward, one-step back type of situation. Running back De’Von Achane was stopped for a one-yard loss on first down, then he caught a pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for 12 yards and a first down. Running back Raheem Mostert pickjed up three yards on the next snap, only to lose two yards on the following play. On 3rd-and-9, Tagovailoa threw a pass directly into the chest of wide receiver Tryeek Hill for what would have been a first down, but the receiver dropped the ball and Miami punted.

Not exactly a great start for the offense. The 49ers are clearly keying on the run right now, looking to stop both Achane and Mostert. Miami needs to make an adjustment and get the ground game going – or else they are going to turn back to the constant screen passes and that has not been working.

49ers second possession (5 plays, 4 yards)

The 49ers began with an 11-yard pass from Purdy to wide receiver Jauan Jennings, immediately followed by a five-yard run from Taylor. A nine-yard run from wide receiver Deebo Samuel appeared to keep San Francisco moving, but a holding penalty negated the gain and set up 2nd-and-12. The 49ers kept going backwards with a false start penalty and a six-yard sack by Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, to bring up 3rd-and-23. After a run by fullback Kyle Juszczyk for six yards, San Francisco punted again.

Not as clean a possession for the Dolphins defense, but it was still effective and the pass rush is already starting to have an impact. They have to keep pressuring Purdy and looking to make him uncomfortable.

Dolphins second possession (8 plays, 44 yards)

Achane continued to star for the Dolphins early in the game, picking up just seven yards on the ground but adding 31 receiving yards on two receptions. The drive almost ended with a spectacular pass from Tagovailoa to Hill in the endzone, but the 26-yard throw was tipped just before Hill could make the reception. Miami settled for the 44-yard field goal.

Miami is clearly looking to feed the ball to Achane with wide reciever Jaylen Waddle out of the game due to injury. Through two possessions he has three carries for six yards and three receptions for 43 yards. He is being used as a weapon in multiple ways, not just a running back coming out of the backfield – something Miami needs to keep doing the rest of the season.

Dolphins 3-0.

49ers third possession

San Francisco started the drive with a 21-yard pass to Ricky Pearsall, but faced a 4th-and-1 four plays later. They converted with a four-yard gain, but then added free yardage when the Dolphins were called for 12 men on the field and that was enforced. The next play looked like a turnover as a tipped pass was intercepted by defensive tackle Benito Jones, but the ball scraped the ground as Jones made the play and, despite having his helmet knocked off and continuing the play, it turned into just an incomplete pass. Two plays later, facing 3rd-and-10, Purdy found Samuel, who slipped a tackle and picked up 17 yards. Taylor ran for nine yards down to the Miami nine-yard line as the first quarter ended.

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Second Quarter

49ers third possession (continued) (10 plays, 70 yards)

The first play after the break saw defensive tackle Zach Sieler get through the line to sack Purdy, but the 49ers scored on a 16-yard pass to Samuel, who fought through multiple tackles to reach the endzone.

The Dolphins defense was almost good enough on that drive. They almost had the interception. They almost pushed the 49ers back with the Sieler sack. They almost made the tackle on Samuel to stop him from scoring. Almost is not going to cut it. They need to get back to hitting Purdy early in the drive, rather than trying to play bend don’t break.

The near interception from Jones was great. Would have been such a great highlight if it counted.

49ers 7-3.

Dolphins third possession (11 plays, 49 yards)

Miami began the drive with a 24-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Hill, followed by a run from Achane for eight and a reception by tight end Jonnu Smith for another eight yards. The Dolphins looked to be in rhythm and ready to respond to the 49ers’ touchdown. A seven-yard Achane run was converted for a first down two plays later on a pass to wide receiver Malik Washington for five yards. The drive stalled after that, however, as a holding penalty backed Miami into a 1st-and-17 from the 49ers’ 24 yard line. The Dolphins settled for a field goal on the following 4th-and-13 play.

Not going to cut it. The self-inflicted penalties continue to be an issue with this Dolphins team. Everything was working, but the Dolphins rely on the short passing game, and facing a long-distance situation on first down is a killer. Miami cannot be settling for field goals.

49ers 7-6.

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

The Dolphins defense was back in almost mode in the next 49ers drive – almost recording a sack on Purdy three times on two plays. They were not able to pull him down, but they did set up a 3rd-and-9, which became a 3rd-and-15 after a false start penalty, then become a 4th-and-19 after another false start penalty. San Francisco punted.

Purdy somehow spun out of those sacks, leaving the Dolphins defenders holding nothing but air. At least the pressure is making him uncomfortable.

Dolphins fourth possession (8 plays, 68 yards)

Miami’s offense continued to look in rhythm, without the penalties, on the possession. A seven-yard run from Achane was followed by a 14-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Mostert. Two plays after a Mostert run for 20 yards, Tagovailoa threw to Washington for 19 yards to set up 1st-and-Goal from the San Francisco seven-yard line. Achane picked up two yards on each of the first two plays before Tagovailoa threw to Hill for the three-yard score.

Much better by the offense, and not with the drive-killing penalty. They are mixing it up well right now, keeping the run and the pass as options on every snap. The Mostert 20-yard reception came on a running back screen, with center Aaron Brewer doing a great job of sliding out to be the lead blocker, without moving down field to be called for a penalty. Good drive for the Dolphins.

Dolphins 13-7.

49ers fifth possession (9 plays, 67 yards)

With 3:20 remaining on the clock in the first half, San Francisco came out firing. A 24-yard gain on a screen pass to Kittle moved the 49ers from their 30-yard line to the Miami 46. Purdy then threw to Jennings for a 16-yard gain, leading into the two-minute warning. After the break, Kittle caught another short pass and turned it into a 12-yard gain. Miami worked their timeouts during the next few plays, with San Francisco working the ball slowly down to the Dolphins’ 3 yard line, where they faced 3rd-and-Goal. Purdy threw toward a wide open Kittle, but rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage, leading to a 49ers field goal.

Bend don’t break again. The defense got lucky the Robinson’s hand was in the exact right spot or else that would be a touchdown. They worked the timeouts to give themselves a chance on offense to answer. Can they do it was 47 seconds?

Dolphins fifth possession (4 plays, 17 yards)

Miami looked to move the ball quickly, starting with an 11-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Smith. Tagovailoa intentionally threw the ball short on the next two plays, choosing to stop the clock rather than pick up minimal yardage and keep the clock running. On 3rd-and-10, he found wide receiver River Cracraft on a crossing route for six yards, letting the clock run to halftime after the play.

They were looking for the deep pass, but the 49ers did a great job of slowing Hill and keeping him from getting a clean release. Miami wanted to do something, but they did not force anything and put themselves in a bad position with an interception. Solid choices by Tagovailoa and Miami heads into the half with the lead.

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Halftime Thoughts

The Dolphins are doing just enough to stay in this game and keep themselves ahead of the 49ers. There has not been a stand up and scream moment, but they are getting solid gains on offense and making just enough plays on defense. They just need to come away with the win – no matter how they get there.

Tagovailoa is 13-for-20 for 141 yards with a touchdown. Achane has 33 yards on nine carries while Mostert has 26 yards on five attempts. Achane also has three receptions for 43 yards, with Washington adding three catches of his own, picking up 28 yards. Hill has two receptions for 27 yards and a score while Smith has two catches for 19 yards.

On defense, Brooks and Sieler each have a sack, while Robinson, linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey have all been able to get pressure on Prudy. Robinson also has the pass defensed to stop a 49ers touchdown.

Kicker Jason Sanders is 2-for-2 on field goals with a long of 44 yards, along with 1-for-1 on extra point attempts.

Miami starts with the ball in the second half. They need to come out with a solid script of plays to get down the field and add to the lead. It is time to press the gas pedal through the floor.

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Third Quarter

Dolphins sixth possession (8 plays, 34 yards)

Miami benefitted from a penalty to start the drive, with the 49ers flagged for unnecessary roughness on the first play, jumping the ball from the 30-yard line out to the 46. Three plays later, on 3rd-and-2, Miami turned to running back Jeff Wilson, Jr., who picked up six yards on each of his back-to-back carries. Tagovailoa then threw across the middle to Hill for a 13-yard gain, but a holding penalty negated the play and pushed Miami into a 3rd-and-14. Achane picked up eight yards on a short pass, setting up a 54-yard field goal attempt. Sanders connected on the kick to extend Miami’s lead.

The drive again stalled after a Miami penalty. They were on track for a touchdown, but the 10-yard loss – essentially a 23 yard loss when you add in the negated pass – led to the field goal. At least Sanders has been money on long kicks lately, and the Dolphins were able to extend the lead. They need to find the endzone again, but at least they used the opening drive of the half to score and keep the pressure on the 49ers.

Dolphins 16-10.

49ers sixth possession (9 plays, 47 yards)

The 49ers ran a very Miami-like drive, picking up chunks of yards, including an 11-yard pass to Samuel on the opening play and a 28-yard pass to Kittle a few plays later. However, penalties popped up as Pearsall was called twice for illegal formations, one of which negated a 16-yard pass to Samuel that moved San Francisco to the Miami two-yard line. Ultimately, the 49ers lined up for a 41-yard field goal, but the kick went wide left.

Miami got lucky here – the 49ers should have scored a touchdown. Pearsall made rookie mistakes and the Dolphins cannot be counting on that. They escaped and now the offense needs to add more points.

Dolphins seventh possession (9 plays, 53 yards)

Miami started 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 3rd-and-1, Tagovailoa was pressured but found Hill in the flat for two yards and a first down. Tagovailoa again went to the air, gaining 12 yards on a screen pass to Achane and 22 yards on a pass to Smith over the middle. After a botched snap with Tagovailoa jumping on the fumbled, the Dolphins moved up to the 49ers 16-yard line on a nine-yard screen pass to Smith. An incomplete pass to Hill in the endzone led to a 33-yard Sanders field goal.

Again, not the touchdown they need to score, but settling for a field goal there extends the lead to nine points, keeping them at least two scores in the lead. The defense needs to make another stop, but Miami is continuing to do just enough.

Dolphins 19-10

49ers seventh possession

San Francisco was gifted a start at the 40-yard line after Sanders’ kickoff went out of bounds. The 49ers offense turned to Samuel on the first two plays, with the receiver catching a screen pass for nine yards then taking a handoff for 13 yards. The quarter ended after the run.

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Fourth Quarter

49ers seventh possession (continued) (9 plays, 60 yards)

Samuel continue his assault after the break, picking up 11 yards on a screen pass on the second play. From the Miami 23-yard line, Purdy found Kittle for seven yards, then, two plays later, connected with him again for 11 more. Two plays later, on 2nd-and-Goal from the Miami two-yard line, Purdy threw to tight end Eric Saubert for the touchdown.

Not good. Miami gave up too many yards too easily on that possession. Suddenly it is a two-point game and the Dolphins need to make something happen quickly.

Dolphins eighth possession (5 plays, 21 yards)

After an incomplete pass and a three-yard gain on a pass to Smith seemed to set Miami up for a long 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 anything with it, however, as a holding penalty on second down pushed Miami back and led to a punt.

The offense got in their own way, and now the defense has to make a stop. The offense is trying to find ways to keep the clock running, but the penalties are crushing the Dolphins ability to control this game.

49ers eighth possession (4 plays, 27 yards)

The 49ers started with a 20-yard gain on a short pass and run from Juszczyk, but the drive died after that, with the offense only adding six more yards before punting from the 49ers’ 27 yard line.

That first play was scary, but the defense locked it down after that. Can the offense control the ball for most of the 6:45 remaining?

Dolphins ninth possession

Achane picked up eight yards, with an additional 15 yards added on an unnecessary roughness penalty, on the first play, then had a defensive offside give them an additional five yards. Achane ran for four yards and seven yards on the next two snaps. The drive ran into issues there, however, with Mostert running for no gain, then Achane picking up seven yards on a reception before Mostert lost two yards on 3rd-and-3. Sanders connected on his fifth field goal of the day, this time from 48 yards, to end the drive.

It was not the touchdown they need, but Sanders’ fifth field goal has the 49ers needing a touchdown with 2:10 remaining in the game. The defense needs to make a play and they need to make it now.

Dolphins 22-17

49ers ninth possession

Purdy stepped up to avoid the pressure on first down, finding Jennings for a 17-yard gain and moving the ball out near midfield as the two-minute warning hit. After the break, defensive lineman Calais Campbell pressured Purdy up the middle and he threw a short pass with cornerback Kader Kohou picking off the pass.

YES!!!!!! YES!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let’s go! The offense still needs to control the ball to make the 490ers use their timeouts, but it is getting close.

Dolphins tenth possession (3 plays, 62 yards)

Achane picked up eight yards to start the drive, with fullback Alec Ingold converting the first down after a 49ers timeout. After the second timeout by the 49ers, Achane took a pitch to the right 50 yards for the touchdown.

Romo wants to talk about Achane should have slid to allow the Dolphins to kill the clock – but the points feel so much better. A 50-yard touchdown run is amazing, and it is a 12-point game with a little over a minute to play and the 49ers have one timeout. It will be okay.

49ers tenth possession

The Dolphins played soft defense, trying to ensure the clock kept running throughout the drive. The 49ers gained some yards, but the clock was clearly their enemy and it was running. On 2nd-and-10 from the Miami 47-yard line, Robinson recorded the sack, essentially guaranteeing the win as the 49ers were forced to call a timeout. San Francisco added 36 yards on two passes with spikes to try to save time between the completions, but on 4th-and-1, safety Jevon Holland nearly picked off the pass, but the incompletion turned the ball over on downs to Miami.

That is the game! Miami comes away with the win and stays alive in the playoff hunt somehow.

Dolphins eleventh possession

Miami knelt to kill the final 10 seconds.