Tua, the Fins beat the 49ers to keep the season alive

On December 23, 2024By Littum

MIAMI GARDENS – The Miami Dolphins hosted San Francisco 49ers Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek HillMike McDaniel and the dolphins needed a win to keep NFL playoff hopes alive.

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.

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 victory with an interception of Brock Purdy with two minutes remaining. 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 left.

How the Dolphins can still make the NFL playoffs

The Dolphins will finish their regular season with road trips at the Browns and Jets.

Miami is favored by 3.5 points in Cleveland.

If Miami can win and 2) Colts lose at Giants OR vs. Jaguars and 3) Broncos lose at Bengals and at Chiefs OR Chargers lose at Patriots and at Raiders, Miami would somehow sneak into the playoffs for the third straight season.

Here are our current ratings 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 attempted 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 didn’t exceed 70% on Sunday, so he remains tied with the two quarterbacks.

Degree: 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 secure the win.

Raheem Mostert had a determined 20-yard run against his former team just before half-time.

The Dolphins got a decent running game going at times on Sunday, which hasn’t been the case at all in recent weeks.

Degree: B

Recipients

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 pick up a touchdown but couldn’t. One was a bit tipped. One hit him in the stomach.

It just doesn’t look like Hill, playing with a wrist injury, will be himself in 2024.

Rookie Malik Washington is proving to be a quality sixth-round pick, showing toughness.

Degree: C-

Tight ends

Jonnu Smith had a 22-yard reception in the third quarter.

Degree: C

Offensive line

Isaiah Wynn started at right guard for Liam Eichenberg, although 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.

The pass protection was pretty solid with the return of Terron Armstead and Kendall Fuller.

Degree: B

Defense line

Zach Sieler and Emmanuel Ogbah had the sack in the first half.

Degree: C+

Linebackers/Edge

Middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks had a sack in the first quarter 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.

Degree: B

Defensive backs

Jevon Holland missed two tackle attempts on Deebo Samuel in the first half.

Jevon has 0 INTs, a drop 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 drove into Miami’s end zone.

Degree: 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 consecutive kicks, breaking his own club record.

Degree: 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.

Degree: B

Joe Schad is a covering journalist Miami Dolphins and 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.