MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers’ hopeful season came to a disheartening conclusion on Sunday, as they were officially eliminated from the playoffs before their matchup against the Miami Dolphins even commenced. Following unexpected victories by the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams earlier in the day, San Francisco saw its playoff ambitions extinguished with their 29-17 defeat to Miami.
This marks the 49ers’ downfall from their Super Bowl aspirations, as the team struggled throughout the latter half of the season, losing four out of their previous five games leading up to Sunday. With their record now standing at 6-9, the 49ers became the sixteenth team to miss the postseason after losing the Super Bowl, following their close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan stated he was unaware of the elimination until after the game, remarking, “I wasn’t aware of the team being eliminated until after the loss to Miami. It did nothing with the game, though. We kind of had the thought last week.” Yet, those thoughts didn’t translate well on the field.
The 49ers were deeply hindered by penalties, racking up 11 infractions for 90 yards during the contest. Three penalties came from unsportsmanlike conduct, and they struggled to maintain discipline throughout the game. Just as they seemed poised to make a late-game comeback with the score at 22-17 and the ball on their 47-yard line, quarterback Brock Purdy was intercepted by Miami’s Kader Kohu. Following the turnover, Miami’s De’Von Achane sealed their victory with a 50-yard touchdown run.
Despite the loss, there were standout performances, particularly from tight end George Kittle, who had eight catches for 106 yards, inching closer to another 1,000-yard season. Kittle expressed his commitment to play hard for the remaining matches, stating, “Although we are eliminated, we still have two weeks of football left.”
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel also made his mark with seven receptions for 96 yards and scored the team’s first touchdown, demonstrating resilience even as the season slipped away.
Conversely, the Miami Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive with the victory, moving to 7-8 for the season. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 215 yards and managed one touchdown, fueling their struggle for postseason survival. The victory was instrumental for the Dolphins, as cornerback Kader Kohu echoed the team’s sentiments, saying, “The whole year, even when things weren't going our way, I always knew we had a playoff team.”
Miami’s path to the playoffs remains arduous, as they will need to win their final two games and rely on the losses of both the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos to improve their postseason chances.
San Francisco’s struggles were not solely due to bad luck; injury woes plagued the roster throughout the game. Key players, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw, left the game with various injuries, mirroring the injury-riddled campaign they've endured. Shanahan’s men had already fallen short against the Rams the previous week, losing 24-0, cementing their elimination from the NFC West title contention following the Rams’ win over the New York Jets.
The 49ers' coaches received poor grades for their performance, with many criticizing their ability to manage the team amid adversity. Comments on the coaching staff’s decisions and game planning indicated dissatisfaction, highlighting this season as indicative of larger issues within the organization.
Looking forward, the remaining games against the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals serve as evaluation opportunities for General Manager John Lynch and the 49ers’ front office. The disappointment of this season raises questions on how the front office will approach the upcoming offseason and build the team for the future.
Despite these challenges, the 49ers know they must refocus and finish strong, improving upon the mistakes made throughout this season. With their final two games remaining, as Kittle indicated, there’s still football to be played, and they will seek to end the season on more favorable terms.
San Francisco's season reached its conclusion marked by high hopes, potential, and resilience. The Dolphins' aspirations live on as they set their eyes on the playoff picture—a tale of two teams on divergent paths.
