In an upcoming showdown, the San Francisco 49ers (6-8) will face off against the Miami Dolphins (6-8) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST, broadcasted on CBS. This game is crucial for both teams as they strive to improve their dismal records this season.
The Dolphins enter the matchup as slight favorites, with BetMGM giving them a 2.5-point edge. Both teams have underperformed against the spread this season, each registering a 5-9 record. Historically, the Dolphins lead the series against the 49ers 8-6, though the 49ers emerged victorious in their last encounter, defeating the Dolphins 33-17 in December 2022.
Last week, the 49ers suffered a disappointing loss to the Rams, scoring only six points, marking one of their lowest outputs in recent seasons. Miami also fell short against Houston, losing 20-12. The performance of both teams will be under scrutiny as they look to turn their seasons around.
On the offensive side, the 49ers rank eighth in overall offense, while their defense is third overall. In contrast, the Dolphins rank 20th in offensive performance and sixth in their defensive effort. Despite these rankings, both squads are struggling with turnovers; San Francisco is at a minus-four differential, while Miami is at minus-five.
Key players to watch include 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who made a notable return last week after recovering from a torn Achilles and delivered a strong defensive performance. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is also pivotal for Miami, looking to bounce back from a four-turnover outing last week against Houston.
In terms of key matchups, the performance of Miami’s offensive line against San Francisco’s defensive line will be critical, especially considering Miami’s injuries to their top tackles. Nick Bosa leads the 49ers’ defensive front, providing a significant threat to the Dolphins’ effectiveness.
Injury updates are noteworthy: San Francisco’s star left tackle Trent Williams will miss his fifth consecutive game, and several key players are either questionable or doubtful. For Miami, Tua Tagovailoa appears to be managing a hip injury but practiced fully on Friday, alleviating some concern.
This game marks the 15th meeting between the two teams, with the home team winning four of the last five contests. Mike McDaniel will have the chance to face his former team as the head coach of the Dolphins, adding an intriguing narrative to the matchup.
For fantasy football players, keep an eye on tight end Jonnu Smith, who has been a reliable target in recent home games.
Overall, while both teams have faced their fair share of challenges this season, this matchup provides an opportunity for each to find their footing and build momentum toward the end of the season. There’s hope that they can turn past disappointments into a newfound determination for the remainder of the year, offering fans a thrilling game to watch.