The 49ers trail by two possessions entering the fourth quarter
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 but did not score.
Dre Greenlaw was officially ruled out to begin the third quarter.
Talanoa Hufanga was flagged for unnecessary roughness after hitting somebody when they weren’t looking. That helped keep the Dolphins drive alive. Sam Okuayinonu got tackled on a third down, which took Miami out of field goal range momentarily. But they gained enough for Sanders to attempt a 54-yarder. Sanders’s kick was true to give Miami a 16-10 lead.
The 49ers lost Jaylon Moore on the next drive. Moore pulled up lame mid-play during a Kittle reception. He went down on the play, and the camera panned to Kyle Shanahan, who was shaking his head in disgust. That meant the 49ers would be down to their third-string left tackle, who was Spencer Burford.
No left tackle, no worries. Purdy found Kittle down the seam for a gain of 28 yards. But the 49ers had two pre-snap penalties, including two from Pearsall, and that’s why the 49ers had to settle for a field goal. Moody’s 41-yard field goal was no good.
On the drive, Deebo left, grabbing his wrist. He had caught a pass to give the 49ers a 1st & goal from the three-yard line, but penalties wiped it out. That sequence is how you’d describe this season for the Niners.
Miami had a 9-play, 53-yard drive that took just under five minutes off the clock. The chunk play on this drive came when Tua found Jonnu Smith for 22 yards. Renardo Green was in coverage on 3rd & 2. That incomplete pass led to Miami’s field goal.
Samuel returned on the ensuing drive and caught a pass for nine yards before rushing for a 13-yard gain. Within two plays, the 49ers were in Miami territory.