49ers at Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, Jason Sanders kicked five field goals including a 54-yarder, and the Miami Dolphins beat the 49ers 29-17 at Hard Rock Stadium. Cam Achane added a long rushing touchdown to seal the game. Brock Purdy completed 26 of 40 for 313 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. George Kittle caught eight for 106. Deebo Samuel had 96 receiving and a touchdown plus 25 rushing yards. The 49ers fell to 6-9 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention.[1][2][3]

The 49ers were officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday. The mathematics had been against them since Thursday night against the Rams; the formal exit came in Miami with a 29-17 loss to the Dolphins.

Tua Tagovailoa threw for 215 and a touchdown. Jason Sanders made five field goals including a 54-yarder. Cam Achane ran for the long touchdown that ended the suspense. Brock Purdy actually played one of his more productive games (313 yards, two touchdowns) but it did not matter in the math or the box.

The season ends 6-9 entering the final two weeks, with the Lions and Cardinals to close. The team that lost the Super Bowl LVIII eight months ago is out of the playoffs. The questions about coaching, personnel, and the durability of the roster, which had been pushed to January, now start getting asked at the bye-week timing.

Dolphins 29, 49ers 17. Margin: -12. Sixteen-game record: 6-9, -18 differential.

• 49ers officially eliminated from playoffs.
• Tagovailoa: 215 yards, 1 TD.
• Sanders: 5 FGs including a 54-yarder.
• Achane: long rushing TD to seal it.
• Purdy: 26-of-40 for 313, 2 TD, 1 INT.
• Kittle: 8 catches for 106.
• Deebo: 96 receiving, 1 TD + 25 rushing.
• 49ers 6-9; Dolphins 8-7.

A 29-17 loss in Miami. The 49ers fall to 6-9 and are eliminated from playoff contention.

How it unfolded

The Dolphins opened on a Tagovailoa touchdown drive. The 49ers answered with a Deebo Samuel rushing touchdown. Sanders kicked a 54-yarder to push the lead to 10-7. The teams traded scores in the second quarter; the half ended 17-10 Miami. Sanders added two more field goals in the third. The 49ers cut it to 23-17 on a Purdy touchdown to Kittle. Achane's long rushing touchdown in the fourth put it away. The 49ers were officially eliminated when the Vikings beat the Bears in the late window.

The turning point

Achane's long rushing touchdown. With the 49ers within a possession in the fourth quarter and the offense moving the ball, Achane broke a long run that essentially ended the game.

By the numbers

Purdy 313 passing yards on 40 attempts with two TDs and one INT. Kittle 106 receiving on eight catches. Deebo 96 receiving and a touchdown plus 25 rushing. Tagovailoa 215 yards and one score, his most efficient game in over a month. Achane scored the long touchdown.

Personnel watch

McCaffrey IR. Aiyuk IR. Purdy in his fifth start since the shoulder return. The 49ers' offense, with what remains of the receiver room, generated 17 points and 400 total yards. The defense surrendered the long touchdown and could not get off the field on Miami's third-down conversions.

What it means

Eliminated. The Lions come up on Monday night next, then the Cardinals to close. The questions about the roster's future and coaching staff move from January speculation to immediate offseason discussion.