49ers vs. Dolphins: Key moments from Miami’s runaway win as 49ers look miserable
There aren’t many words available to describe the 49ers’ performance Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
The 43-17 loss is a clear low point in the Kyle Shanahan era, particularly given the expectations for the 49ers coming into the season off last year’s Super Bowl appearance.
Jimmy Garoppolo, back after a two-week absence due to a high ankle sprain, was benched at halftime after throwing two consecutive bad interceptions and clearly didn’t look right while his offensive line continued to struggle to protect him. He threw for just 77 yards on 7-of-17 completions. His 15.7 pass rating was the worst of any start in his career.
The 49ers were outgained 436-259, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 350 yards, three touchdowns and completed 22 of his 28 throws.
C.J. Beathard, who replaced Garoppolo after halftime, didn’t play a whole lot better. He completed just 9 of 18 for 94 yards, though he did have San Francisco’s only touchdown pass.
He’s our quick recap of what happened as the 49ers fell to 2-3 and dropped their third-straight game at Levi’s Stadium.
First quarter
The 49ers after receiving the opening kickoff went three-and-out on their first possession and punted, allowing the Dolphins to take advantage of Allen, who was beat by Preston Williams for a 47-yard completion on the first snap. Allen was also flagged for a questionable horse-collar tackle later in the series before Miami tight end Adam Shaheen scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass against Kwon Alexander in coverage.
The Dolphins took the early 7-0 lead.
The 49ers gave the ball back to Miami after failing to convert a fourth-and-1 from the 44-yard line. It came after a first-down sack from Zach Sieler in which left tackle Trent Williams appeared to pass Sieler off to another blocker. The problem: no other blocker was there to get in Sieler’s way.
San Francisco was flagged for another personal foul when blitzing linebacker Fred Warner hit Ryan Fitzpatrick to negate a third-down incompletion and keep the drive alive. Running back Myles Gaskin walked into the end zone from the 1-yard line to make it 14-0.
The 49ers offense failed to get another going on their third possession. Garoppolo was sacked for a second time and the team was forced to punt. It led to a rare bright spot. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky’s boot went 52 yards to the Dolphins 11 and Jakeem Grant Sr. bugged it before recovering back at his 5-yard line.
Garoppolo, in his first quarter back, completed 5-of-8 for 57 yards. Mostert had 22 yards on his first five runs. The 49ers were out gained, 116-64.
Second quarter
The 49ers forced their first punt of the game and Trent Taylor had a nifty 17-yard return, giving them the ball at Miami’s 49-yard line. Then Mostert broke through the right side of the defense with a 37-yard run on a sweep play. It was San Francisco’s longest run from a running back since he last played Week 2.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk then cut right through the middle of Miami’s defense for a 5-yard score, capping a three-play, 49-yard touchdown drive that cut the lead in half. The 49ers badly needed some momentum, which started with the defense getting its first stop.
However, Allen’s bad day continued. He was flagged for pass interference putting the ball back near the goal line. And then after the Dolphins were flagged for clipping and took a sack, they went right after Allen on third-and-22 with a deep pass to DeVante Parker, who separated from Allen in the left corner of the end zone for a 22-yard score. It made the score 21-7.
The 49ers allowed their third sack of the game when they got the ball back. Backup linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel crushed Garoppolo from his blind side after beating tight end Ross Dwelley in pass protection. San Francisco, for the third straight time, failed to manage a first down after allowing a sack, and punted.
Then slot cornerback Jamar Taylor, in place of K’Waun Williams, surrendered a 70-yard catch and run to tight end Mike Gesicki. Ahkello Witherspoon replaced Allen on the drive despite Witherspoon coming in with a balky hamstring, hence why he didn’t start. The Dolphins settled for a field goal at the 2-minute warning to take a 24-7 lead. It came after Kwon Alexander sacked Fitzpatrick, giving the 49ers two sacks on the day.
San Francisco tried driving for a score just before the break, but Garoppolo was intercepted by safety Bobby McCain on a long third-down pass to running back Jerick McKinnon. The 49ers’ defense held and Miami had to settle for a 50-yard field goal to make it 27-7 with 38 seconds left.
Garoppolo threw another interception when the 49ers got the ball back. This time Garoppolo airmailed Samuel and was picked by cornerback Xavien Howard leading to another field goal as the first half expired.
Third quarter
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made a big decision coming out of the locker room. He benched Garoppolo in favor of former third stringer C.J. Beathard, who had taken over the backup duties from Nick Mullens last week.
Beathard helped San Francisco put together a touchdown drive on the first possession of the third quarter, finding Kendrick Bourne for a 19-yard score as he crossed the middle of the field uncovered. He dove for the pylon, making it a 30-14 game.
The Dolphins responded with Fitzpatrick’s third touchdown of the game, a 32-yarder to Preston Williams. It came after the 49ers nearly allowed Miami to convert a third-and-16, and then allowed them to get the first down on a fake punt on fourth-and-1.
The drive lasted just 3:25 and went 75 yards. The 49ers appeared lifeless as Williams split safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt for the score.
The 49ers drove 56 yards on their next series but had to settle for a field goal after allowing their fourth sack of the game. They also had to burn a timeout after nearly allowing the play clock to expire immediately after the sack. Robbie Gould hit from 37 yards to make it a 20-point game, 37-17.
Fourth quarter
The Dolphins went up 40-17 with a nine-play, 50-yard drive that chewed 7:06 off the clock that resulted their fourth field goal of the game from Jason Sanders.
And the 49ers promptly responded by turning the ball over on downs after getting just eight yards on four plays. Beathard was hit as he threw on fourth down and the ball wasn’t close to a receiver. It led to another field goal and a 43-17 Dolphins lead.
For the second straight week, San Francisco’s offensive line played poorly. They allowed five sacks after surrendering five in the previous loss to the Eagles. On the fifth against Miami, Beathard fumbled, giving the ball back to the Dolphins for their third takeaway of the game.
This story was originally published October 11, 2020 at 2:42 PM.
