Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers: A Tale of Two Teams
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins and their electric offense were on the verge of a second straight playoff berth at this time last season. The San Francisco 49ers were about to make an impressive Super Bowl run.
A Lot Can Change in a Year
Now, the Dolphins are clawing their way into the playoff race, while the 49ers are at risk of their first losing season since 2020 if they lose one more game.
A Matchup of 6-8 Teams
They’ll meet Sunday in a matchup of 6-8 teams that have performed below their preseason expectations.
Frustrated, but Focused
"I think they’re certainly frustrated, as we are," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. "It’s been a trying year. But in no way, shape or form do I expect anything but their best."
Regressing Offense
Much of Miami’s struggles this season have been because of regression in parts of their offense.
The Dolphins were one of the best passing and rushing units in the NFL in 2023, but now they’re averaging just over 222 yards passing (14th in the NFL) and have the second-lowest yards-per-carry average at 3.9.
Self-Inflicted Wounds
Part of that is because of an offensive line that has not created consistent rush lanes, another issue has been self-inflicted wounds.
"When you truly understand football and you watch the Miami Dolphins this year and from previous years, it’s all about execution," wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. "It’s all about pre-snap operation. It’s all about not shooting yourself in the foot. I feel like a lot of drives that we’ve had, big plays that we’ve had, they’ve been called back. Or even when we started the drive, we get a false start or we get a holding flag."
49ers’ Struggles
The 49ers have had their own struggles with an inconsistent run game. Since their bye week, they’ve failed to rush for more than 75 yards three times, including against the Rams on Thursday when San Francisco ran the ball 19 times compared to 31 passes and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.
Deebo Samuel’s Slump
San Francisco also has not gotten consistent play from Deebo Samuel, who has gone from one of the most dynamic players in the league to a non-productive one.
Samuel has only 101 yards receiving over his last five games and is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry — down from 6.0 the previous three seasons. But coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t believe the lack of production stems from a lack of explosiveness.
"By no means do I think he’s lost it or anything," Shanahan said. "His looks haven’t been quite as good this year, just like for everybody. When the 10 guys around you aren’t doing quite as good, whether it’s him, whether it’s the quarterback, whether it’s O-line, you’re not going to do as good as you did the year before."
Conclusion
The Dolphins and 49ers will face off on Sunday, each trying to get their season back on track. It’s a matchup of two teams that have underperformed, but still have the potential to make a push for the playoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the key issues facing the Miami Dolphins?
A: The Dolphins have struggled with regression in parts of their offense, including an inconsistent run game and self-inflicted wounds.
Q: What is the problem with the 49ers’ run game?
A: The 49ers have struggled to establish a consistent run game, with an average of just 3.3 yards per carry over their last five games.
Q: Is Deebo Samuel still a productive player?
A: Deebo Samuel has struggled this season, with just 101 yards receiving over his last five games and an average of 2.8 yards per carry.
