Instant analysis from Dolphins’ Week 13 loss to the 49ers

The Miami Dolphins traveled to Santa Clara, California to take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday with the hopes of earning their ninth victory of the season. However, Mike McDaniel was unable to best his former team, as the 49ers won 33-17.

Miami got off to a hot start, as Tua Tagovailoa found wide receiver Trent Sherfield for a 75-yard touchdown on their first offensive play of the day. However, the unit was up and down for a good chunk of the game.

Tagovailoa wasn’t able to hit his weapons with his usual consistency, and there were also a few plays that his targets could’ve made that would’ve helped him out. He still finished the day completing just 54.5% of his passes for 295 yards with two touchdowns, but his two interceptions and strip-sack that was returned for a fumble put the team in multiple bad spots.

Tagovailoa continued to find Tyreek Hill, his favorite target, as Hill brought in nine receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown.

Miami stayed away from the running game, only carrying the ball eight times for 33 yards. There will definitely be some who second guess this decision when looking back at this contest.

With Jimmy Garoppolo getting hurt in the 49ers’ first possession, Kyle Shanahan turned his offense over to rookie quarterback Brock Purdy. The former Iowa State signal-caller didn’t look too bad, completing 67.6% of his attempt for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Despite the rookie being in, the Dolphins’ defense was unable to contain Christian McCaffrey, who totaled 146 yards and one touchdown on 25 touches.

Nick Bosa was dominant as well, which was expected in a game where Miami was missing their two starting tackles. The former Buckeye finished the day with three sacks and two tackles for loss.

The Dolphins lost their fourth game of the season, and this is just the start of a rough stretch of competitive football that will certainly test their fortitude and ability.

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Story originally appeared on Dolphins Wire