Dolphins keep playoff dream alive by beating 49ers 29-17

The 49ers were eliminated from the playoffs before Sunday’s game in Miami got underway, but the Dolphins will live at least a little longer.

Cornerback Kader Kohou picked off 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy just after the two-minute warning, and running back De’Von Achane sprinted 50 yards for a touchdown a few plays later to cap a 29-17 victory. Achane probably should have taken a knee instead of scoring with 96 seconds to play, but rookie Chop Robinson sacked Purdy to fuel the final Niners timeout with 49 seconds to play and the clock ran out from there.

Winning ensures the Dolphins still have a chance to make the playoffs heading into Week 17. They’ll have to beat the Browns and get help from the Bengals against the Broncos before even thinking about Week 18, so it’s not a great chance, but it sure beats the alternative.

Achane ran 17 times for 121 yards and caught six passes for 70 yards to pace the offensive effort Sunday afternoon. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also hit wide receiver Tyreek Hill for a touchdown in the first half to reach 100 for his career, and kicker Jason Sanders made five field goals to provide the rest of the scoring.

Robinson’s sack was one of three for the Dolphins, and the defense did a good job of keeping the 49ers from building momentum throughout the afternoon. Purdy finished 26-of-40 for 313 yards and he had two touchdowns to go with the pick while the injury-riddled running back corps did little to move the ball on the ground.

The 49ers will host the Lions on Monday night in what will serve as a sad reminder of last season’s NFC Championship Game for the home team.