Dolphins Boot 49ers

     The Miami Dolphins pushed by the San Francisco 49ers 29-17 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. The Dolphins are close to being eliminated from postseason contention. The 49ers, who were eliminated from making the postseason, last won a Super Bowl at the same venue almost 30 years ago. 

     There was only one score in the first quarter. Jason Sanders gave Miami(7-8) a 3-0 advantage on a 44-yard field goal with 3:30 left in the first. 

     In the second quarter, San Francisco(6-9) took the lead 7-3 at the 14:14 mark. Quarterback Brock Purdy connected a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. on the left hash marks. The Fins closed it to 7-6 when Sanders booted a 38-yard field goal at 9:40.

     The Dolphins leaped to a 13-7 lead with 3:20 to go in the second. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa tossed a three-yard pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill on the left side. The Niners cut it to 13-10 with 47 seconds remaining in the first half when Jake Moody kicked a 21-yard field goal. 

     Miami would get two field goals during the third quarter from Sanders to make it 19-10. He made a 54-yard field goal at 10:57 and a 33-yard field goal at 1:08. 

     The 49ers closed it to 19-17 at the 12:02 mark of the fourth quarter. Tight end Eric Saubert caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Purdy in the middle of the end zone. 

     The rest of the final quarter belonged to the Dolphins. Sanders kicked his fifth field goal of the contest, this one being from 48 yards, with 2:10 remaining. He set a new franchise record of 23 consecutive field goals made breaking his previous mark. Running back De'Von Achane later rushed through the right side from 50 yards away for a score with 1:36 left to give the Fins a 29-17 lead.