49ers eliminated from NFC playoffs before game against Miami. Cowboys, Saints, Cardinals also out

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – The defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention before their game in Miami began Sunday due to wins by Washington and the Los Angeles Rams.

Then they couldn’t play the role of spoiler, lost 29-17 and keep the Dolphins’ slim playoff hopes alive.

The 49ers (6-9) became the 16th team to miss the postseason after losing the previous Super Bowl. They fell 25–22 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 on February 11.

San Francisco’s fate was sealed during a four-game losing streak leading into Sunday. Coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t know if the team was eliminated until after the loss to Miami.

“I didn’t realize it, but it didn’t do anything to the game,” Shanahan said. “We kind of had that thought last week. It wasn’t official, but we understand the numbers.”

Among the numbers that spelled San Francisco’s downfall on Sunday: 11 penalties for 90 yards. The Niners were flagged three times for unsportsmanlike conduct and twice on pre-snap penalties.

The Niners had the ball at their 47 while trailing 22-17 after the two-minute warning, but Miami cornerback Kader Kohu intercepted Brock Purdy. Three plays later, De’Von Achane’s 50-yard touchdown run sealed the win for the Dolphins.

“I just feel like we’re hurting ourselves offensively and when the defense stops, we’ve got to go and take advantage of that,” Purdy said. “Last year we did really well.”

The Niners also won the NFC title in the 2019 season and lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, only to miss the playoffs the following season. On Sunday, the Niners made their first appearance in South Florida since their first Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

“You asked me if I had PTSD from that (game)? No. It’s a great stadium. Great atmosphere,” tight end George Kittle said. “I had fun out there, besides the outcome of the game.”

Kittle finished with eight catches for 106 yards. He is now 33 yards from a fourth 1,000-yard season in his eight-year career.

“Even if we’re eliminated, we’ve still got two weeks of football left and if I’ve got football in front of me, I’m going to play as hard as I possibly can and try to get the guys around me to do the same.” Kittle said.

Commanders win over Philadelphia Eagles eliminated San Francisco from wild-card contention, and Rams’ win at New York Jets ended the Niners’ hopes for an NFC West title. The Rams have the tiebreaker over the Niners because of their season sweep.

“This league is very tough and we’ve been at the highest highs for a long time and sometimes things don’t go your way,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “I don’t think I’ve played a game where you don’t really have a chance in the playoffs. It’s a different feeling, but it’s always a blessing to be on the court and be a part of the Niners.”

In addition to the Niners, the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints were eliminated from playoff contention due to Sunday’s early results. The Commanders’ win knocked off the Cowboys and the Saints were eliminated by the Atlanta Falcons, who beat the New York Giants.

The Arizona Cardinals were eliminated with a loss at Carolina.

In the AFC, the Dolphins need to win their remaining games and need either the Los Angeles Chargers or Denver Broncos, who are both 9-6, to lose and Indianapolis (7-8) to lose one of the final two.

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