The 49ers trail 13-10 at the half
The Dolphins needed six plays to make it inside the 49ers red zone. Hill’s 24-yard scamper started the drive off. A holding call on Miami put them behind the sticks, and the Niners’ defense held the Dolphins to a field goal. On third down, Floyd was back in the game.
Jason Sanders’s field goal made the score 7-6.
The 49ers lost nine yards on their next drive. “Everyone but the center” jumped on 3rd & 9, one play after Purdy was running for his life. Up until this point, Purdy had been pressured on five of his ten dropbacks.
After being stingy for the last six quarters — the 49ers defense hadn’t allowed a touchdown — they were on the brink of giving up six points on the ensuing drive. Old friend Raheem Mostert caught a pass for 14 yards, then ripped off a 20-yard run. Tua Tagovailoa found Malik Washington for 19 yards, and the Dolphins were inside San Francisco’s 10-yard line.
Tyreek Hill got a step on Charvarius Ward on 3rd & goal, and Tua’s timing was perfect to give Miami a 13-7 lead.
San Francisco would have over three minutes to score, but they wouldn’t need the entire clock. George Kittle picked up 25 yards on a screen to start the drive. Despite everything they’ve been through this season, that was the 45th play of at least 25 yards this season for the offense, which was good for the second most in the NFL.
Kittle caught another pass for 13 yards. The way he squares up and accelerates past defenders will never get old. Kittle’s a special talent that will always feel like the 49ers don’t use enough.
Pearsall would have a career-high in receptions on this drive, as he had his fourth catch. He beat Jalen Ramsey on a slant to pick up a first down on third down. If only there was a way to get Pearsall involved before this week.
Kittle was wide open in the end zone on 3rd & goal, but Purdy’s pass was tipped. Chop Robinson pushed Colton McKivitz into Purdy’s throwing window. Taylor was also open, but it didn’t matter. Tipped passes had been an issue all season for Brock. He had the fourth-most in the league entering Week 16.
Jake Moody’s chip shot field goal was good to bring the 49ers within three, 13-10. Miami still had 47 seconds remaining in the second quarter.