MIAMI GARDENS — Breaking down the Miami Dolphins vs. the San Francisco 49ers, who visit Hard Rock Stadium at 4:25 p.m. Sunday:
San Francisco 49ers (6-8) at Miami Dolphins (6-8)
The coaches: San Francisco – Kyle Shanahan. Miami – Mike McDaniel.
Last game: 49ers lost to visiting Rams 12-6; Dolphins lost to host Texans 20-12.
Last meeting: 49ers beat Dolphins 33-17 in Santa Clara, Callif., on Dec. 4, 2022.
Key matchups
Dolphins OL vs. 49ers DT Maliek Collins and DE Leonard Floyd
Collins, in his first season in San Fran after three years in Houston, has 30 tackles, five sacks and 10 QB hits. Floyd is 32 but has 8.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 16 QB hits. The question is who will block them? The Dolphins’ OL had a rough outing in Houston, so it’s possible there will be a shake-up along Miami’s offensive line. Remember, the Dolphins started rookie Patrick Paul at left tackle and Jackson Carman at right tackle against the Texans. Terron Armstead is optimistic he’ll feel good enough to return at LT. And if he does, he’s likely to see DE Nick Bosa, who is questionable with multiple injuries. Meanwhile, Kendall Lamm is questionable to return to his RT duty. Will Liam Eichenberg keep his RG spot or could that go to, say, Isaiah Wynn?
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa vs. 49ers pass defense
Tagovailoa is coming off the first four-turnover game of his career, having thrown three interceptions to go with one lost fumble against Houston. Not exactly a good time to be going against the No. 2 pass defense in the NFL — unless he wants to prove he can quickly bounce back.
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Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will attempt to bounce back from a four-turnover outing in Houston.
Scouting report
Dolphins run offense vs. 49ers run defense
The Dolphins’ rushing attack has plummeted to 26th in the NFL. The Dolphins haven’t rushed for more than 82 yards in the past six weeks. De’Von Achane has averaged 27.8 rushing yards per game over the past month.
Edge: 49ers
Dolphins pass offense vs. 49ers pass defense
How has Tua Tagovailoa responded when coming off a three-INT game? He hasn’t. He has either been out injured or the season ended the previous three times he threw three INTs, so this will be his first such bounce-back game. He’ll face this with a depleted WR corps that will not include Jaylen Waddle. Tyreek Hill, future coach (he says), needs to be at his best.
Edge: 49ers
49ers run offense vs. Dolphins run defense
San Fran has an impressive group of running backs, led of course by Christian McCaffrey. Problem is, they’re all injured. And when we say all … SF is down to its fifth-string RB for this game. That could put the ball in the hands of Patrick Taylor, who has 50 rushing yards this season — or 50 more than the other option, Israel Abanikanda.
Edge: Dolphins
49ers pass offense vs. Dolphins pass defense
What we just said about the 49ers’ RBs means a ton of heat on QB Brock Purdy. The Dolphins remember Purdy. They were cruising along at 8-3 in Mike McDaniel’s first season when they visited San Fran and were ambushed by Purdy and the 49ers 33-17, triggering a five-game losing streak. An argument could be made that the Dolphins haven’t been the same since. It was Purdy’s first extended action in the NFL and he threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns. “It was kind of ironic that we saw the first sight of him,” McDaniel said. “But I think the whole team knew when he was playing that this is a guy that’s a starter in this league and not a backup.” And he still has buddies George Kittle and Deebo Samuel.
Edge: 49ers
Special teams
Jake Moody doesn’t miss extra points, but he has made only three kicks from 50+ this season. Jason Sanders hasn’t been perfect on PATs but has been nearly perfect (10 for 12) from 50+.
Edge: Dolphins
Prediction
Tough one. Two disappointing 6-8 teams get together to commiserate. The 49ers are 2-4 on the road and were outscored in their two most recent trips by a combined 73-20, albeit to Green Bay and Buffalo. But they have Nick Bosa. The Dolphins have a banged-up offensive line.
Pick
49ers 17-15
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins-49ers scouting report: Can Tua Tagovailoa bounce back?
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