Entering the season, the San Francisco 49ers' Week 16 contest against the Miami Dolphins looked like one of the more intriguing games on the schedule. A potential Super Bowl preview? A battle between two of the best offenses in football? Kyle Shanahan vs. Mike McDaniel?
Yet, after underwhelming seasons from both sides, Sunday's contest blended into the Week 16 slate with a pair of disappointing teams trying to keep their already ultra-slim chances of a late playoff run alive.
After San Francisco was eliminated from postseason contention before kickoff, Brock Purdy and the 49ers struggled to separate from the Dolphins, dropping another game in ugly fashion, 29-17. The 49ers have now lost their second straight game and dropped their fifth loss in their last six games.
Before the final two games of the season, here's a look at all of the good and all of the bad from the 49ers' 29-17 loss to the Dolphins in Week 16.
With a win from the Washington Commanders over the Philadelphia Eagles and a victory from the Los Angeles Rams over the New York Jets, the 49ers' already slim chance of a late miracle postseason run officially came to an end. Regardless of the result in Miami, the defending NFC champions will miss the postseason for the first time in three years.
After a rough couple of weeks, Deebo Samuel came alive on Sunday in Miami. Samuel set the tone early, breaking tackles and dragging Dolphin defenders for an impressive 16-yard touchdown. Samuel was heavily involved in Kyle Shanahan's gameplan, touching the ball 12 times on Sunday with five rushes and seven receptions.
Samuel finished with seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown to go along with 25 yards rushing. Samuel's 96 yards receiving was his highest total since Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks. Week 6 was also the last time Samuel scored a touchdown.
Although he posted over 300 yards passing, Brock Purdy didn't have his sharpest performance against the Dolphins. With a shorthanded offensive line in front of him, the Dolphins' pass rush bothered the 49ers' passer.
Purdy finished with 313 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception. His lone pick came at the worst time for the 49ers.
After holding the Dolphins to a field goal, the 49ers had a chance to take the lead late with a touchdown drive. However, Calais Campbell broke through the line and was able to hit Purdy near his release, forcing an arrant throw that landed in the hands of Miami's Kader Kohou.
While Miami is known for its speedy high-powered offense, Sunday, most of their attack came from behind the line of scrimmage or short passes. The Dolphins ran a flurry of screen passes to running back De'Von Achane and tight end Jonnu Smith.
While the Dolphins kept things tight, Nick Sorenson and the 49ers defense had no answer for Miami's quick passing attack.
Tua Tagovailoa finished with 215 yards passing with a 6.3 average against the 49ers. Tagovailoa did not have a downfield dynamic play-through the air with his largest gain going for 24 yards to Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins rarely even attempted a pass downfield, instead opting for Smith and Achane underneath. Achane finished as the Dolphins' leading receiver with 70 yards through the air.