49ers news: 3 quick takeaways from the 29-17 loss to the Dolphins

The San Francisco 49ers had their chances. But, as they’ve shown time and time again in 2024, they committed one too many mistakes, ultimately losing 29-17 to the Miami Dolphins on a day when they were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

It was a rough outing for San Francisco, who were in striking distance until the final drive of the game, but just couldn't put enough together to edge past Miami.

Offensively, Brock Purdy spread the ball around, eclipsing 300 yards once again, but threw an ugly interception late in the fourth quarter that led to the game-sealing touchdown for the Dolphins.

Defensively, the 49ers struggled on the ground once again, while allowing Miami to consistently march downfield, leading to five field goals for the Dolphins.

Here are three quick takeaways from the 49ers 29-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

The Middle 8

One of the biggest opportunities for football teams to take advantage comes near the end of the first half and the start of the second half. And one could say that period was a turning point on Sunday.

The 49ers, leading 7-6 as the second quarter was winding down, gave up an eight-play, 68-yard touchdown drive, thanks to a 21-yard Raheem Mostert run and a 19-yard Malik Washington catch. That gave Miami a 13-7 lead with 3:20 left in the half.

Still, San Francisco had a major opportunity to retake the lead, getting all the way to 1st & Goal at the Miami 7-yard line, thanks to a pair of catches from both George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall.

But, the drive stalled there. Deebo Samuel got four yards on 1st & Goal to get the 49ers to the three-yard line, but Brock Purdy threw back-to-back incompletions and San Francisco settled for a 21-yard field goal, keeping the score at 13-10 going into halftime.

Then, coming out of the half, the 49ers allowed Miami to drive 34 yards for a deep 54-yard field goal from Jason Sanders, extending the lead to 16-10. The turning point came there.

As they’ve done for a good portion of the season, San Francisco saw success moving the ball between the 20s, even getting to the Miami 20-yard line for a 1st & 10 in the red zone. But, the setbacks began there. An illegal formation set the 49ers back to a 1st & 15. Then, facing a 3rd & 8 two plays later, they got another illegal formation.

Following an incompletion, Jake Moody missed the 41-yard field goal and just like that, a red zone opportunity led to zero points.

Those four possessions were the game-changers in this one. San Francisco got to the red zone twice, scoring just three points, thanks to inefficiencies inside the five-yard line and some costly penalties, while the Dolphins got 10 points out of their two possessions.

Miami scored another field goal on the ensuing drive and maintained the lead for the remainder of the game.

Penalties

Penalties have been a big issue for the 49ers in some of their issues and that trend continued on Sunday with 11 accepted penalties for 90 yards.

They started as early as San Francisco’s second drive, where they had good field position and were moving into Miami territory before an Aaron Banks holding penalty moved a 2nd & 5 that was converted into a 2nd & 15. The 49ers couldn’t recover and were forced to punt.

Then, of course, came the two pre-snap penalties alluded to above on a red zone drive, not only hurting the 49ers by forcing a field goal, but prompting a zero-point possession with Jake Moody’s miss.

On Miami’s final field goal, the 49ers opened the drive with back-to-back defensive penalties, as an unnecessary roughness from Deommodore Lenoir and an offsides from Kalia Davis took Miami to San Francisco’s 44-yard line with a 1st & 5. Miami got the first down before settling for a 48-yard field goal, extending their lead to 22-17.

When there are as many penalties as the 49ers had on Sunday, it’s hard to overcome given how many serve as drive killers or extenders for the opposing team. Those self-inflicted wounds were a big issue in the loss.

Finishing struggles

The 49ers have not been able to finish games in 2024. For whatever reason, they’ve really struggled in the fourth quarter, even in some wins, and that continued on Sunday.

San Francisco had a number of opportunities in this one, even if the final score doesn’t represent that. After cutting the lead to 19-17 with 12:02 remaining in the fourth quarter, the defense forced a punt, giving the offense a prime opportunity to take the lead.

After a quick first down, the 49ers went three-and-out, as a Deebo Samuel run went for just one yard, leading to a second and third & long situation and an eventual punt.

Miami got a field goal on their ensuing possession, but San Francisco still had a big chance with 2:14 to go down just five points. That, however, was quickly killed on the second play of the drive, as Brock Purdy threw an ugly interception while being hit by a pass-rusher.

On the play, center Jake Brendel blew his block, leading to some major pressure up the middle. Still, Purdy didn’t read the underneath defender, forcing a ball into way too tight of a window, leading to what would be the game-sealing interception.

San Francisco has had many opportunities to take games this season, despite some of their struggles. But, they’ve really missed out on some chances in the fourth quarter, and that trend continued on Sunday with a big interception.

Even after that, the 49ers had three timeouts to potentially get the ball back, but the Dolphins got a first down before De’Von Achane sprung for the game-ending 50-yard touchdown, sealing the deal for Miami.

This season is now officially over for the 49ers, who will face the Detroit Lions at home next weekend before finishing their season with the Arizona Cardinals. But, much looked the same against the Miami Dolphins, leading to the disappointing result that 49er fans have been accustomed to too many times this season.

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