The Miami Dolphins started their troublesome stretch of the schedule, which lived as much as its billing in a 33-17 loss at San Francisco.
It’s necessary to not overreact. It’s just one sport, and the Dolphins (8-4) stay in good place to safe their first playoff berth since 2016.
But there’s no denying the Dolphins’ five-game profitable streak resulted in impolite trend because the 49ers’ made quarterback Tua Tagovailoa uncomfortable, took benefit of left deal with Terron Armstead’s absence, and customarily did what they wanted to do offensively.
The Dolphins’ offense, adept at huge performs similar to Trent Sherfield’s 75-yard landing and Tyreek Hill’s 45-yard rating on Sunday, struggled for a lot of the day. The Dolphins solely ran 45 performs. Teams often prefer to run between 60 and 70. The 49ers ran 79 performs.
The Dolphins rushed for simply 33 yards on eight carries, and have solely 99 yards speeding of their final two video games. Plus, they have been 0 of seven on third downs towards San Francisco.
Defensively, the 49ers rushed for 121 yards and rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, the final choose of the draft out of Iowa State, was capable of join when vital with well-thrown passes into tight home windows.
The Dolphins needed the challenges of December soccer, and that’s precisely what they obtained.
Passing sport: C
This is a tricky one to grade. Obviously the lengthy touchdowns have been good to see. Hill (9 receptions, 146 yards, one landing) and Sherfield (one reception, 75 yards, one landing) supplied the shot within the arm the passing sport wanted. However, the sack-fumble towards Tagovailoa and the interceptions, which got here on back-to-back third quarter passes, have been tough. Tagovailoa absorbed three sacks and was inaccurate for a lot of the day. Pass safety, whereas good at occasions, was spotty, at finest. Not having Armstead (pectoral) and proper deal with Austin Jackson (ankle) proved pricey, though Jackson hasn’t been there for many of the season. Still, operating again Jeff Wilson dropped a cross, and the communication and execution up entrance on twists and stunts was uneven. Not a very good efficiency. In reality, these two lengthy passes have been about the one vibrant spots.
Running sport: F
Simply put, the bottom sport was a failure. The totals — eight carries, 33 yards — say all of it. Wilson had one carry for 3 yards. Raheem Mostert had seven carries for 30 yards. Both mentioned they, individually, must do higher. They’re proper. The Dolphins can’t be a one-dimensional offense, particularly with out Armstead, who stabilizes the whole operation up entrance. Without the run sport, the Dolphins can’t throw on play motion and the offense is predictable, which occurred towards the 49ers. San Francisco entered the sport with the league’s finest run protection, and now you already know why. The Dolphins should discover a technique to run the ball.
Defending the cross: C+
Purdy (25 of 37, 210 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 88.8 passer score) sliced and diced the secondary when vital, however the Dolphins’ cross rush had 4 sacks and 10 quarterback hits. Linebackers Melvin Ingram and Bradley Chubb every had one sack, and linebackers Jaelan Phillips, Jerome Baker, Andrew Van Ginkel and defensive lineman Zach Sieler every had a half sack. And cornerback Xavien Howard had an interception. Regardless, the 49ers obtained 15 of their 24 first downs through the cross. Four gamers had a minimum of 30 yards receiving — operating again Christian McCaffrey (80 yards, one landing) and vast receivers Deebo Samuel (58 yards), Brandon Aiyuk (46 yards), Jauan Jennings (34 yards). The Dolphins weren’t unhealthy on this space, they simply weren’t pretty much as good as they wanted to be.
Defending the run: D
This wasn’t a dominant efficiency by the 49ers. But they used their 34 carries for 134 yards to manage the clock and double up the time of possession, 40:34 to 19:26. McCaffrey (17 carries, 66 yards, 3.9 yards per carry) wasn’t nice, however he was efficient. Baker and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (12 tackles apiece) did what they may. However, the 49ers have been decided to run the ball. They had 16 carries for 69 yards within the first half, and 18 carries for 52 yards within the second half.
Special groups: C+
Kicker Jason Sanders (one discipline aim, two additional factors) and punter Thomas Morstead (4 punts, 51.5 yards per punt) have been good. But the protection groups have been solely so-so. The 49ers averaged 17 yards per return on two punt returns and 25 yards per return on two kickoff returns. Mostert had one kickoff return for 25 yards.
Coaching: C-
The Dolphins didn’t get outcoached. Mike McDaniel didn’t do something uncharacteristic in his go to to his outdated stomping grounds and in a matchup towards his good friend and mentor, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. The Dolphins had eight penalties for 68 yards, and that’s a mirrored image on teaching. And that they had no reply for Purdy, a seventh-round choose. That shouldn’t be the case. They ought to have the ability to rattle the rookie, transfer him off his spot, confuse him. That didn’t occur. And the teaching workers must discover a technique to run the ball successfully.
Stock up: Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins
On a protection with Howard, Chubb, Phillips and plenty of others, Wilkins, a crew captain, usually will get neglected. But make no mistake, he’s one of many backbones of the protection and he’s having an impressive season. Against the 49ers he had 12 tackles and a pressured fumble, and also you noticed a few of his trademark high-motor, always-hustling performs. Wilkins doesn’t get quite a lot of sacks or do quite a lot of high-profile work, however he’s a key participant and he confirmed it towards the 49ers.
Stock down: Offense
The Dolphins solely scored two touchdowns — each on lengthy passes. They must persistently put worry right into a protection, and the 49ers weren’t afraid of this offense in any respect, even after that 75-yard landing cross on the primary play. The Dolphins miss Armstead, however they should discover a workaround. Tagovailoa was inaccurate and the run sport was non-existent. The Dolphins must discover a technique to persistently rating touchdowns. They did it towards the smooth a part of the schedule, however should discover a manner when it issues most.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com