MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins hosted the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins needed a win to keep alive longshot NFL playoff hopes.
It happened.
It was Dolphins 29, 49ers 17.
Jason Sanders made all five of his field goals for the Dolphins as their season stayed alive.
The Dolphins (7-8) still have a chance to finish with a winning record for a fifth consecutive season.
The postseason odds are 10%, according to the New York Times Playoff Predictor.
The 49ers (6-9) were officially eliminated just before kickoff.
Kader Kohou sealed the win with an interception of Brock Purdy with two minutes to play. Purdy was pressured by Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
The final dagger was a 50-yard touchdown run by De’Von Achane with 1:36 to play.
How the Dolphins can still make the NFL playoffs
The Dolphins will end their regular season with road trips at the Browns and Jets.
Miami is favored by 3.5 points at Cleveland.
- If Miami can win out, and 2) the Colts lose at the Giants OR vs. the Jaguars and 3) the Broncos lose at the Bengals and vs. the Chiefs OR the Chargers lose at the Patriots and at the Raiders, Miami would somehow sneak into the playoffs for a third straight season.
Here are our Instant Grades for Dolphins vs. 49ers
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa completed his 100th career touchdown pass, a 3-yarder to Tyreek Hill just before halftime for a 13-7 lead.
Tua was trying to become the first quarterback in NFL history to top 70% in nine straight games, breaking a tie with Joe Montana and Drew Brees.
Tua did not exceed 70% on Sunday, so he’ll remain tied with those two quarterbacks.
Grade: B
Running Backs
De’Von Achane had back-to-back first quarter catches of 11 and 20 yards.
Achane topped 120 rushing yards, largely on the game-breaker to seal the victory.
Raheem Mostert had a determined 20-yard run against his former team just before halftime.
The Dolphins did get a decent run game going at times on Sunday, which has not at all been the case in recent weeks.
Grade: B
Receivers
Tyreek Hill dropped a third-down pass from Tua in the first quarter.
Just before halftime, Hill caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Tua on third down.
There were two other plays in the end zone where Hill had a chance to haul in a touchdown but couldn’t. One was slightly tipped. One hit him in the belly.
It just doesn’t seem like Hill, who is playing with a wrist injury, is himself in 2024.
Rookie Malik Washington is proving to be a quality sixth-round pick, demonstrating toughness.
Grade: C-
Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith had a 22-yard reception in the third quarter.
Grade: C
Offensive Line
Isaiah Wynn started at right guard for Liam Eichenberg, though Eichenberg also played. Rob Jones was called for holding in the red zone in the second quarter and another hold in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Brewer was called for holding in the third quarter.
Pass protection was pretty solid with the return of Terron Armstead and Kendall Fuller.
Grade: B
Defensive Line
Zach Sieler and Emmanuel Ogbah had first-half sacks.
Grade: C+
Linebackers/Edge
Middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks had a first-quarter sack on a blitz. Brooks has played very aggressively and been a very strong tackler for Miami this season.
Rookie Chop Robinson tipped a pass on third down to stop a 49ers’ red zone touchdown attempt.
Grade: B
Defensive Backs
Jevon Holland missed two tackle attempts on Deebo Samuel in the first half.
Jevon has 0 INTs, a decrease in tackles and a 61.3 PFF grade after 90.4 last season.
Jordan Poyer was also involved in one of the missed tackles, as Samuel trucked into Miami’s end zone.
Grade: C-
Special Teams
Jason Sanders made 44-, 38-, 54- 33- and 48-yard field goals, continuing a hot streak.
After making his first five field goals, Sanders improved to an outstanding 33-for-37 on the season.
Sanders had made 23 kicks in a row, breaking his own club record.
Grade: B+
Coaching
According to Pro Football Reference, Mike McDaniel is 4-for-16 on challenges. McDaniel challenged a possible interception by Benito Jones and lost.
Grade: B
Miami Dolphins inactives:Terron Armstead? Tyreek Hill? Jaylen Waddle?
Joe Schad:Miami Dolphins must accept, address, their offensive line-building failures
Tyreek Hill to coach?Not yet, it turns out
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
