Dolphins @ 49ers Week 13 Game Preview
The Dolphins will travel to the west coast to take on the 49ers in a battle between two of the hottest teams in football.
Dolphins at 49ers (-4.0) – 46.5 total
This should be a good one. The Dolphins will travel to the west coast to take on the 49ers in a battle between two of the hottest teams in football. The Dolphins have won five straight games, moving into a tie for first place in the AFC East, while the 49ers have won four in a row.
The Dolphins hot streak can really be extended all the way back to the beginning of the season. They now sit at a perfect 8-0 in games started by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tua had plenty of detractors this offseason, but he’s proven them all wrong. He’s entered the MVP conversation, and he’s been the most efficient quarterback in football this season. Tua leads all passers in touchdown rate, adjusted yards per attempt, and QB rating, and he owns the second-highest grade at the position per Pro Football Focus. Tua has plenty of help – Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is probably the best receiver tandem in football – but he’s deserved all the praise he’s gotten.
Unfortunately, Tua is going to have to navigate a very tough 49ers defense on Sunday. Since Nick Bosa returned to the lineup in Week 8, the team has allowed 16 points or fewer in four straight games. Even more impressively, they’ve kept all four opponents off the scoreboard in the second half. Their offense hasn’t been too shabby either, averaging 26.0 points per game in that stretch.
The Dolphins also have a massive injury question mark at the moment. Star left tackle Terron Armstead suffered a pectoral strain last week and his status versus the 49ers is yet to be determined. Armstead is a notoriously tough player, but this type of injury typically sidelines people for multiple weeks.
After Armstead exited last week, Tagovailoa was sacked four times in three series. In the four games prior, he had been sacked twice total. It goes without saying that facing the 49ers at less than full strength isn’t ideal, but things could be ugly if Armstead is unavailable. Making matters worse, starting right tackle Austin Jackson has also been sidelined at practice, so the team could be without both tackles in this spot.
Additionally, it’s important to keep the Dolphins’ recent winning streak in context. Their last five wins have come against the Steelers, Lions, Bears, Browns, and Texans, which is far from a murderer’s row. They also won three of those games by six points or less, so this team hasn’t exactly been a juggernaut.
They’re going to have their hands full against one of the most talented squads in the league, and if they’re without Armstead and Jackson, I’m not sure how they can pull out a win.