After going on a two-game California road trip, the Miami Dolphins played their first home game since November 6 as they hosted the San Francisco 49ers. Miami came into the game as one of the hottest team as they had won five consecutive games. The would also leave Hard Rock Stadium as one of the hottest teams in the NFL.
Miami defeated San Francisco 31-24 for their sixth straight victory and seventh of the season. Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a tremendous game as he finished 20 of 30 as he threw for 285 yards and three touchdown passes. He also rushed for 34 yards on six carries.
Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills led the team in receiving yards as finished with three receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown catch. Tight end Dion Sims also had a productive day as he caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown pass.
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick finished 29 for 46 as he threw for 296 yards with three touchdowns passes and an interception. He also rushed for 113 yards on 10 carries. 49ers running back Carlos Hyde rushed for 65 rushing yards on 13 carries and he also caught a receiving touchdown.
Miami began the day with a three and out on their first drive. San Francisco would then take over on their own 38-yard-line after the punt.
Then the 49ers took over and drove down the field for the game’s first score of the game. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back Carlos Hyde to make it 7-0 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Dolphins finally tied the game up at 7-7 with a 2-yard Jay Ayaji touchdown run.
Later on in the second quarter, Miami went on an 11 play, 84-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown pass from Tannehill to tight end Dion Sims. Tannehill’s touchdown pass would be the 100th in his five-year career.
At halftime, Miami led San Francisco 14-7.
On the first play coming back from halftime, Kaepernick threw an interception to linebacker Kiko Alonzo. Miami then took over on the San Francisco 26-yard-line. The Dolphins would settle for a 24-yard field that gave them a 17-7 lead.
After San Francisco had got the ball back, they went on a nine play, 91-yard drive that resulted in a Kaepernick to Garrett Celek 4-yard touchdown pass. That trimmed the Dolphins lead to 17-14.
Then on the very next kickoff, Dolphins returner Kenyon Drake ran for a 67-yard kickoff return to the San Francisco 24-yard-line. After a Ronald Blair sack and a delay of game penalty, the Dolphins punted the ball back to the 49ers.
After a three and out by the 49ers, the Dolphins got the ball back on their 40-yard-line. Five players later, Tannehill connected with receiver Kenny Stills for a 43-yard touchdown that made the score 24-14.
In the fourth quarter, the Dolphins scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass to rookie Leonte Carroo to extend their lead to 31-14. That was Carroo’s first ever touchdown reception.
On the 49ers next drive scored a one-yard touchdown on a one-handed reception by Torrie Smith in the end zone. The drive went eight plays for 75 yards. That score cut the Dolphins lead to 31-21.
Later on the in the fourth quarter, the 49ers went on a 14 play, 62-yard drive that made it 31-24 Dolphins with less than three minutes left in regulation.
After a Dolphins punt with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter, the 49ers would get one last opportunity to force overtime. San Francisco was able to drive down the length of the field but with five seconds left in the fourth quarter, they unable to score a touchdown on their last play of the game at the sixth-yard line.
Next for the Dolphins will be a trip to Baltimore to take on the Ravens next Sunday. San Francisco will also be on the road next week as they will travel to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears.
