49ers news: Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniels Dolphins have parallels

Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers head to Miami to meet up with their old friend Mike McDaniel and Dolphins. In 2021, after a successful tenure as the 49ers’ run game coordinator and offensive coordinator, Miami hired McDaniel as head coach to help usher in a new era of Dolphin football.

Since the two friends parted ways, both coaches have led their teams to the playoffs in 2022 & 2023. Unfortunately, both teams’ seasons ended at the hands of the Chiefs in 2023. In 2024, the parallels continue in more ways than one. Both teams have suffered injuries this season and failed to live up to expectations. Both teams enter the game with a 6-8 record and their playoff chances on life support. The similarities don’t stop there.

Here are some things to watch out for on Sunday in Miami.

Personnel trends

It’s no secret that McDaniel and Shanahan collaborated on various wrinkles in the 49ers offense, especially during the run of the game. Creating angles and achieving box office benefits was bread and butter for the duo.

In their third season since McDaniel’s hiring in Miami, both offenses mirror each other in personnel usage.

The 49ers have run 832 total plays to Miami’s 893. The 49ers and Dolphins rank 28th and 30th, respectively, in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE and 3 WR).

League Average – 60.6% Rate & 0.01 Expected Points Added

San Francisco – 384 Plays, 46.2% Rate, -0.02 Expected Points Added (14th), -0.06 EPA/Pass, 0.05 EPA/Rush, 62.2% Pass Rate

Miami – 356 Plays, 39.9% Rate, 0 Expected Points Added (13th), -0.04 EPA/Pass, 0.1 EPA/Rush, 71.9% Pass Rate

Both teams lead the NFL with 21 turnovers (2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR), with 36.9% for San Francisco (1st) and 29.1% for Miami (2nd).

League Average – 6.3% Rate & 0.03 Expected Points Added

San Francisco – 307 Plays, 0.15 Expected Points Added (8th), 0.34 EPA/Pass, 0 EPA/Rush, 44% Pass Rate

Miami – 260 plays, -0.08 Expected Points Added (17th), 0.16 EPA/Pass, -0.26 EPA/Rush, 40% Pass Rate

The two offenses buck the NFL’s personnel tendencies and are committed to their offensive philosophies.

Red zone regression

Last season Christian McCaffrey and Raheem Mostert were touchdown machines. McCaffrey was dealing with Achilles tendinitis before suffering a season-ending PCL injury in Buffalo. Meanwhile, Mostert has dealt with some injuries, but Miami has prioritized De’Von Achane’s playing time over Mostert, regardless of health.

In 2023, San Francisco ranked first in red zone touchdown percentage, at 68%, with Miami third at 65.52%. High red zone production had to go back to average, but both offenses fell far short of the top of the NFL in 2024.

Miami has dropped from third to 12th in the NFL at 58.14%, and the 49ers have dropped from first to 23rd at 52.94%. San Francisco averages 3.6 red zone trips per game (10th), and Miami is averaging 3.1 per battle (19th). The last three games have been more efficient in the red zone for both teams, with the 49ers converting 66.67% (8th over that span) and Miami converting 60% (13th over that span).

Defensive ranks

After a season in which the 49ers allowed 18.8 points per game (4th in the NFL), the 2024 version has allowed 22.9 points per game. game (17th in NFL). Miami is currently tied with New Orleans for 13th in the NFL allowing 22.3 points per game after their 2023 campaign allowing 23.2 points per game.

The Dolphins have been stingy against the run in 2024, allowing just 103.6 rushing yards per game (8th in the NFL). San Francisco ranks 15th in the NFL with 117.8 rushing yards allowed per game. match.

San Francisco’s pass defense ranks second in the NFL in passing yards per game. game allowed, with only 181 yards per carry. match. Miami ranks eighth with 205 passing yards per game. fight allowed.

Each team’s defensive average per battle is the same.

The similarities between San Francisco and Miami aren’t just driven by former coaches and players. 2024 has both teams in an almost identical spot heading into their game on Sunday. The year changes, but these two teams remain the same. In 2024, both teams are in almost identical positions.