San Francisco 49ers (8-4) – Miami Dolphins (8-4): 33-17
There’s Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. There is Plato and Socrates. And there’s Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniel. First match between the new coach of the flamboyant Dolphins and Shanahan, the one who taught him everything (from the fire-Redskins to the 49ers, not passing the Browns and the Falcons). And if that were not enough, between two contenders for the playoffs offering an attractive game. On the side of Miami, an air attack left on historical bases, guided by the wisps Waddle and Hill. On the Californian side, an iron defense, which has not conceded a single point in the second half for more than 4 games, and coming out of a game where they completely extinguished the Saints (0 point).
Nightmarish start for San Francisco
Shanahan knows the tricks of Miami’s slick game by heart: he’s the one who created them. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle must be watched like fuel on the fire to avoid an avalanche of yards after contact. On the first offensive snap, the lesson is well learned… or almost. Tua Tagovailoa (18/33, 295 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) delivers a pass to former 49ers Trent Sherfield: 75 yards, touchdown.
The Niners are chasing after the score as just 10 seconds have passed. Worse, on his first drive, Jimmy Garoppolo injured his foot (or ankle) and left the game for good. The match seems to suddenly become unbalanced when the rookie Brock Purdy (25/37, 210 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT), Mister Irrelevant 2022 (last player chosen in the last draft) enters the field.
Tua, vintage 2021
If the Dolphins are destined to roll on this match, it was without counting on their most reliable player of this beginning of the season, and competitor to the MVP: Tua Tagovailoa. The Hawaiian, certainly deprived of his two starting tackles (Austin Jackson and Terron Armstead), is unusually imprecise. Hasty throws, sometimes too high, sometimes too low, sometimes badly timed. Last year’s Tua is back.
At the cost of several barren possessions and two consecutive interceptions, Tagovailoa gives the 49ers cartridges. Purdy was fearless, and well helped by his 5-star attacking cast, managed to raise the score, even to have a 13-point lead (23-10) at the start of the 4th quarter. In particular, Christian McCaffrey (17 carries, 66 yards, 8 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD) is very valuable on short passes.
tense 4th quarter
On the first game of the fourth quarter, Tua finally finds his mojo. Taking advantage of a misreading of safety Hufanga, he sends a 45-yard bomb to a Tyreek Hill of the big days (9 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD). The Dolphins are back to within a touchdown. But it’s too little, too late.
On a new possession and a Deebo Samuel (6 receptions, 58 yards) unleashed, the Californians go back to +9 via a field goal, then to +16 on the following action following a sack-fumble from Nick Bosa (3 sacks, 3 QB Hits) brought back into the in-goal by Dre Greenlaw. History not to cause controversy at the position of quarterback, Skylar Thompson returns, launches an interception and emerges. End of the match, and victory for San Francisco, which will anxiously await the more advanced results concerning the injury of Jimmy Garoppolo. Miami’s loss put a halt to the team’s momentum, and left the Bills alone at the top of the division. Discipline did not overtake the master. For now.
