Dolphins prevail as 49ers fall out of playoff chase

Dec 23, 2024, 6:44 AM | Updated: 7:20 am

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during ...

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Sactown Sports

Jason Sanders kicked five field goals and De’Von Achane accounted for 190 total yards from scrimmage and the clinching touchdown in the Miami Dolphins’ 29-17 win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 34 passes for 215 yards and a score for Miami (7-8), which maintained its slim playoff hopes in the AFC. The Dolphins must win their last two games, hope for two losses from the Los Angeles Chargers and get other help to perhaps earn the final wild-card spot in their conference.

Achane rushed for 120 yards on 17 carries, including a 50-yard touchdown run with 1:36 left in the game to seal the outcome, and caught six passes for 70 yards. Sanders kept Miami in the lead the entire second half, adding 54-, 33- and 48-yard field goals to his two successful kicks in the first half.

Chop doing Chop things 🪓#ProBowlVote @chopyoungbull pic.twitter.com/fZiZ9IMgHS

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 23, 2024

San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins recap

Brock Purdy hit on 26 of 40 passes for 313 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for San Francisco (6-9). He found Eric Saubert for a 2-yard score with 12:02 remaining in the game to pull the 49ers within 19-17, but they couldn’t get over the hump.

The Dolphins outgained the 49ers 381-374, possessing the ball for 33:06.

San Francisco got bad news before the game even kicked off. Results from the early games on Sunday officially eliminated the 49ers, a season after they went to overtime with Kansas City in the Super Bowl before losing.

Still, they took a 7-3 lead 46 seconds into the second quarter when Purdy found Deebo Samuel for a 16-yard touchdown pass. That answered Sanders’ 44-yard field goal that opened the scoring with 3:30 left in the first quarter.

Sanders connected from 38 at the 9:40 mark of the second period, followed by Tagovailoa’s 3-yard strike to Tyreek Hill with 3:20 remaining that gave Miami a 13-7 edge.

San Francisco got to the Miami 3-yard line on its final possession of the half before settling for Jake Moody’s 21-yard field goal that chopped its deficit to three points at the break.

–Field Level Media