Dolphins Beat 49ers 29-17, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Game Summary
Tua Tagovailoa threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, Jason Sanders nailed five field goals, and the Miami Dolphins kept their playoff chances alive by beating the San Francisco 49ers 29-17 on Sunday.
49ers’ Playoff Hopes Dashed
The 49ers were eliminated from the playoffs before the game because of wins by the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders earlier Sunday. The loss ensured that last year’s NFC champions will have a losing season for the first time since 2020.
Dolphins’ Playoff Hopes Revived
The Dolphins (7-8) helped their chances of making the playoffs for a third straight season, but will need to win their final two games and get help from losses by the Broncos, Chargers, and Colts for that to happen.
Key Plays
- Trailing by nine early in the fourth, San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy found tight end Eric Saubert for a 2-yard score that cut the lead to 19-17, but the Niners couldn’t get past self-inflicted wounds.
- After punting the ball back to Miami with 6:45 left, San Francisco was hit with consecutive penalties for illegal substitution, unnecessary roughness, and offsides to give Miami 25 yards, helping set up Sanders’ 48-yard field goal that stretched the Dolphins’ lead to five.
- Cornerback Kader Kohou then intercepted Purdy on the next drive, after the quarterback was pressured by defensive tackle Calais Campbell. Dolphins running back De’Von Achane sealed it with a 50-yard touchdown run.
Statistical Leaders
- Tagovailoa: 22 of 34 for 215 yards and a touchdown
- Purdy: 26 of 40 for 313 yards and two touchdowns
- Jason Sanders: 5 of 5 field goals, including a 54-yarder
Dolphins Set Franchise Records
- Jonnu Smith caught six passes for 62 yards to set the Dolphins’ single-season franchise record for receptions (76) and receiving yards (802) by a tight end.
Injuries
- 49ers: LB Dre Greenlaw (right calf), LG Aaron Banks (knee), and LT Jaylon Moore (quad) left with injuries. DE Leonard Floyd played through a shoulder injury suffered in the first quarter.
- Dolphins: WR Jaylen Waddle did not play because of a knee injury suffered last week. CB Kendall Fuller (knee) and LB Jordyn Brookes (quad/knee) left in the second half.
Up Next
- 49ers: Host Detroit on Monday, December 30.
- Dolphins: At Cleveland next Sunday.
Conclusion
The Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive with a victory over the 49ers, who were eliminated from the playoffs before the game. The Dolphins will need to win their final two games and get help from losses by the Broncos, Chargers, and Colts to make the playoffs for a third straight season.
FAQs
Q: How did the 49ers’ playoff hopes end?
A: The 49ers were eliminated from the playoffs before the game because of wins by the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders earlier Sunday.
Q: How did the Dolphins’ playoff hopes improve?
A: The Dolphins helped their chances of making the playoffs for a third straight season, but will need to win their final two games and get help from losses by the Broncos, Chargers, and Colts for that to happen.
Q: Who set the Dolphins’ single-season franchise record for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end?
A: Jonnu Smith caught six passes for 62 yards to set the Dolphins’ single-season franchise record for receptions (76) and receiving yards (802) by a tight end.
