Miami Dolphins (7-8) – San Francisco 49ers (6-9): 29-17
An NFL field is 100 yards. So half is 50. 50 is the number of yards that Devon Achane runs to finish off the 49ers. The running back is the great architect of his team's victory. Thus, the Dolphins can still hope to qualify for the playoffs.
Opposite, already eliminated after the Rams' victory a little earlier, this 5th defeat in the last 6 games perfectly sums up the 49ers' season. Brock Purdy was not catastrophic, but did not know how to sublimate himself either. The 49ers will therefore look towards next season.
Achane overloaded, Samuel finally decisive
The first half is balanced. First of all, it is defensive with in particular a sack by Jordyn Brooks on Brock Purdy (26/40, 313 yards, 2 TDs, INT) for the Dolphins. Then, the attacks are released. Massively involved and determined, Deebo Samuel (7 REC, 96 yards) finally finds the way to the receiving touchdown after resisting 3 defenders.
Trailing, the Dolphins monopolize the ball, with Devon Achane (17 races, 6 REC, 190 yards, TD) used everywhere. But, it is not decisive. Unlike Tyreek Hill (3 REC, 29 yards, TD) who scored his 3rd touchdown in 4 games, served by Tua Tagovailoa (22/34, 215 yards, TD). More serious and correcting the errors of the previous series, the 49ers put themselves in a position to score. Unfortunately, Brock Purdy misses George Kittle (8 REC, 106 yards), and does not allow the 49ers to equalize, but only to reduce the score.
The 49ers so close, yet so far
The second half starts at a slow pace where Miami takes a little break. By missing a 41-yard field goal, Jake Moody condemns his team to try harder. Instead of going ahead, they only reduced the gap through tight end Eric Saubert.
Miami misses opportunities to score another touchdown. So, the 49ers have the opportunity to move ahead. Unfortunately, Brock Purdy throws an imprecise pass towards Jauan Jennings (4 REC, 51 yards), intercepted by Kader Kohou. As a symbol, running back Devon Achane will validate a deserved success for the Dolphins who can continue to believe in it for the playoffs.
Also as a symbol, San Francisco cannot even score on its last possession after a missed pass from Brock Purdy to the new starting running back Patrick Taylor (8 carries, 24 yards). The 49ers have the worst ratio of NFL teams in the final quarters this season, this was confirmed again in this game.
