Although the chances of the 49ers making the playoffs this season are slim to none, the team could still end the season on a high note by winning their three remaining games starting this weekend in Miami. What must the 49ers do to earn a victory against the Dolphins?
Stop the Run
The 49ers must stop the run and make the Dolphins one-dimensional. The Dolphins have explosive runners with speed, and they want to get to the outside. De'Von Achane is the Dolphins' leading rusher with over 700 yards and four touchdowns.
Their other backs, Raheem Mostert and rookie Jaylen Wright, also add to the rushing production. The 49ers' defensive front must eliminate the outside zone and tackle outside the offensive tackles. If the 49ers' defense can take away the run, they will be victorious.
Limit the Explosives
The Miami Dolphins are loaded with players who look to gain explosive plays in the air and on the ground. Containing their most explosive player, Tyreek Hill, could present a problem. The 49ers' secondary must keep everything before them and get their playmakers down on the ground. It will be challenging to eliminate all of the yards of the catch, but the defense must find a way to limit the explosive plays.
Run the Ball
The 49ers' game plan must be to establish the run. With rookie Isaac Guerendo most likely out nursing a hamstring injury, it looks like the 49ers will be using their fifth and sixth-string running backs in Patrick Taylor Jr. and Israel Abanikanda. Expect the 49ers to run the ball in various ways using wide receivers like Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, and Jacob Cowing. The team will win if the 49ers' offense establishes the run and reaches 30-plus production attempts.
Execution
Execution has been one of the biggest mysteries for the 49ers offensively and a primary factor in the decline of this year's offense. From penalties to missed blocks to dropped passes, the 49ers offense has shot themselves in the foot more than once on several occasions in 2024. Every position just needs to perform their role to the best of their ability and take advantage of every opportunity granted to them in this matchup.
If the 49ers offensive line blocks, the running backs will run successfully. If the wide receivers and pass catchers lock in and focus on the fundamental part of their position titles, receiver drives will be kept alive. The offense will flow if the quarterback has time, can get through his progressions, and makes the right reads. Last but certainly not least, the offense must find a way to finish in the red zone to succeed against the Dolphins.
Turnovers
The last key is quite simple. Lose the turnover battle, lose the game. The 49ers must go out there and play mistake-free football. They must secure the ball at all costs and not give the Dolphins opportunities to capitalize.
Conclusion
This game does not matter as much to the fans because the team will likely not make the playoffs. Some look to gain a higher spot in the NFL Draft order, but the players want to win. Winning is the most important thing here, and it can cure so many things that went wrong this NFL season. Expect the 49ers to want to win against the Dolphins, but they must stick to this week's "Keys to Victory."