Defense and the running game are not the ways in which the Miami dolphins are used to winning football games- now or at any time in their history other than when Csonka, Kiick, and Morris ran to perfection in that magical 1972 season.

But those two aspects of the game are exactly how these Miami Dolphins kept their playoff chances alive, with a hard-fought 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49’ers at The Rock.

De’Von Achane ran for 120 yards on 17 carries, including the 50-yard TD with under 2:00 left that put the game away for Miami. The 2nd-year RB also caught 6 passes for 70 yards.

Jason Sanders nailed five field goals for the Dolphins, including a 54-yarder. He has hit 22 of his 23 attempts at home, and made 11-13 on FG’s of 50+ yards this season.

Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa finished 22 of 34 for 215 yards and a TD, with no interceptions. He was not sacked one time.

The Dolphins (7-8) are still alive in the AFC Wild Card race. They need to win their last 2 games- plus the Broncos, Chargers and Colts each need to lose for the ‘Phins to get in.

Trailing by nine early in the fourth, San Fran QB Brock Purdy hit TE Eric Saubert with a 2-yard TD pass that cut the Miami lead to 19-17, but the Dolphins D locked the Niners up from there, not allowing them to score again.

After punting the ball back to Miami with 6:45 left, the 49’ers were hit with consecutive penalties for illegal substitution, unnecessary roughness and offsides to give Miami 25 free yards.

Sanders then crushed the 48-yard field goal that pushed the Dolphins' lead to 5 points.

CB Kader Kohou picked off SF QBBrock Purdy on the next drive, setting up Achane’s game-clinching TD run.

Purdy went 26 of 40 for 313 yards and two touchdowns.

Tyreek Hill caught just 3 balls for 29 yards and a TD, but the “cheetah” had big drops on the first 2 drives of the game.

Tight End Jonnu Smith caught six passes for 62 yards to set the Dolphins' single-season franchise record for receptions (76) and receiving yards (802) by a TE.

Deebo Samuel caught the Niners’ 1st TD on a 16-yard score.

Injuries: Dolphins’ WR Jaylen Waddle did not play because of a knee injury he suffered last week at Houston. CB Kendall Fuller (knee) + LB Jordyn Brookes (quad/knee) left in the second half.

The Dolphins are at Cleveland (3-12) next Sunday in another must-win game.

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‘LIVE' Instant Reax from 30+ year Miami Sportscasting Veteran Jim GRIES Grieshaber
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