Playoff Hopes Surging As Dolphins Triumph Over Injured 49ers

Miami Gardens, FL – Happy holidays! The Miami Dolphins took down the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 29-17 in their final home game of 2024 to keep their playoff hopes alive.

While the offense did its part, you have to give a standing ovation to the defense. Battered and bruised, they held a dangerous 49ers offense to 17 points. On offense, no Jaylen Waddle meant shaking up the playbook, and they did just that. Against his former team, Mike McDaniel coached up a solid recipe of complimentary football.

At the very least, the Dolphins can say they closed out their final game at home this season on a high note. A lot needs to go their way to get a Wild Card spot. But that had to start with a win today, and they did just that.

No Gold Was Found Today

Yes, the 49ers didn’t have Christian McCaffrey and a whole host of others. Still, that unit featured a dangerous receiving core with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. That duo got their yardage, with 200 combined yards.

However, Miami’s defense did their job when they needed to limit Brock Purdy, especially in the fourth quarter. You can tell the 49ers running game was banged up, as they only racked up 81 yards on the ground. Purdy himself was the leading rusher with 26.

When Purdy had to pass the ball, he found success in the middle with Samuel and Kittle taking down Miami’s secondary. The Fin’s defense settled on third downs, stopping the chunk plays and forcing four punts, a missed field goal, an interception by Kade Kohou (Which somewhat iced the game), and a turnover on downs on San Fran’s final drive, which actually iced the game.

Brock Purdy got smacked here, but what was he looking at? The throw was never there,

If he’s limited physically, he MUST make good decisions and this year, he hasn’t. It’s a problem. #49ers pic.twitter.com/rl0teT1yYc

— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) December 23, 2024

It’s a shocker, but when you pressure Purdy, he can make mistakes. That was the case today whenever they brought heat on third down. With three sacks and six total QB hits, Mr. Irrelevant took a beating today.

San Francisco has been held to 17 points or fewer in five of their last six games. It’s an understatement to say their offensive line and running game have regressed since their most recent Super Bowl loss.

Unleash The Achane On All

Remember when the Dolphins relied on the foot of Jason Sanders to beat Dallas on Christmas Eve last season? It felt like that was going to happen again for a while. Miami’s offense did a solid job of pushing the ball to San Francisco’s side of the field but struggled to finish the job. In came Sanders, who made all five field goals he attempted.

Tua Tagovailoa had a solid game today – the kind of game he needed after the three-interception stinker last week. With 22 completions for 215 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions, he returned to being Mr. Reliable. His TD pass today was his 100th as a Dolphin, joining Dan Marino, Bob Griese, and Ryan Tannehill as the only Fins to do so.

Tyreek Hill started off struggling with three drops to the frustration of the fans. Still, he redeemed himself with a snag in the end zone right before halftime to give the Dolphins the lead. Jonnu Smith was also solid. However, the hole left in the offense with no Waddle out there was apparent.

DE’VON ACHANE IS A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 🙌
pic.twitter.com/9cmv7Dtq60

— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) December 23, 2024

The star of today’s show was De’Von Achane – the team’s leading receiver and rusher. He established Miami’s running game mostly by himself with 190 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. It was enough to put a smile on everyone’s face by the end of the game.

While not a spectacular offensive performance today overall, the unit made the plays they had to hold the lead throughout the entire second half.

The End Is Still In Sight

As a reminder, the Dolphins still have a shot at the playoffs. Here’s what needs to happen.

The 9-6 Denver Broncos need to lose their remaining two games against Cincinnati and Kansas City.

The 7-8 Indianapolis Colts need to lose one of their last two games against the New York Giants and Jacksonville.

The 7-8 Miami Dolphins need to beat both Cleveland and the New York Jets.

Their matchup on the road against the Cleveland Browns was supposed to be on Sunday Night but has since been flexed to Sunday, December 29th at 4:05 pm.