The Miami Dolphins are still alive. With a 29-17 win in their home finale against the San Francisco 49ers, the Dolphins improved to 7-8 on the year and kept alive their long shot playoff scenario.
It was the 49ers that got into the end zone first Sunday with a punishing 16-yard touchdown reception from Deebo Samuel early in the second quarter. But Miami responded with a touchdown of its own before halftime when Tua Tagovailoa found Tyreek Hill from three yards out.
Ultimately, though, it was an avalanche of Dolphins field goal attempts that buried the 49ers. While San Francisco’s Jake Moody made one and missed one, the Dolphins’ Jason Sanders was a perfect five-for-five on the day. Sanders even made his two extra points, which have somehow been the bigger issue for Miami’s kicker this season.
The 49ers got another touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Brock Purdy found tight end Eric Saubert all alone in the end zone, but one more Sanders field goal forced San Francisco to get another touchdown in the final minutes. While the 49ers got into Dolphins territory, the game essentially ended when a Calais Campbell pressure forced a Kader Kohou interception. A few plays later, De’Von Achane iced the game with a 50-yard touchdown.
Here’s what stood out most in Miami’s win in Week 16 went down: