Miami, FL - The Miami Dolphins earned a crucial 29-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, keeping their postseason dreams alive with a strong performance on both sides of the ball.
The victory brings Miami’s record to 7-8 and places them firmly in the mix for an AFC wild-card spot as the regular season nears its conclusion.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa delivered a steady performance, completing 22 of 34 passes for 215 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in the second quarter.
Running back De'Von Achane had a breakout game, rushing for 130 yards on 18 carries and catching four passes for another 60 yards.
His 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the game for Miami, putting an exclamation point on his standout day.
The Dolphins' offense was bolstered by wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who caught seven passes for 92 yards, providing consistent production as a deep threat.
Kicker Jason Sanders was a key contributor, making all five of his field goal attempts, including a season-best 54-yarder, to keep the Dolphins ahead throughout the game.
Defensively, the Dolphins stepped up when it mattered most.
Cornerback Kader Kohou intercepted a Brock Purdy pass late in the fourth quarter, stopping a 49ers drive and giving Miami crucial momentum.
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips recorded 1.5 sacks and six tackles, disrupting the 49ers' offensive rhythm, while cornerback Xavien Howard limited San Francisco’s top receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, to just three catches for 38 yards.
The 49ers, who were eliminated from playoff contention before this matchup, struggled with penalties and missed opportunities.
Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns but also had one costly interception.
Tight end George Kittle was a bright spot for San Francisco, catching eight passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Christian McCaffrey was held to 56 rushing yards on 15 carries, with an additional 42 yards through the air.
San Francisco’s 11 penalties for 90 yards proved costly, stalling several key drives and allowing Miami to dominate time of possession, controlling the ball for 33 minutes compared to the 49ers’ 27 minutes.
The Dolphins capitalized on San Francisco’s mistakes, turning key defensive stops into scoring opportunities.
After trading early scores, Miami surged ahead in the second half, outscoring the 49ers 19-10.
Achane’s electrifying 50-yard touchdown run in the game’s final minutes solidified the win and provided a much-needed boost to Miami’s playoff chances.
With their playoff hopes still alive, the Dolphins face a pivotal road matchup against the Cleveland Browns next week.
To clinch a postseason berth, Miami must win their remaining games and rely on losses from other AFC contenders such as the Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
For the 49ers, who fell to 5-10 with the loss, the focus shifts to their upcoming home game against the Detroit Lions.