49ers travel to Miami for a date with the Dolphins

'Niners move to 5-8

With momentum on San Francisco’s (5-8) side for the first time in weeks after back-to-back victories, the team might have to play without Frank Gore. The running back sprained his ankle against the Jets and will be a game-time decision on Sunday against the Dolphins. If Gore can’t go, DeShaun Foster will get the start. Foster carried the ball 16 times for 35 yards against New York after Gore exited the game in the third quarter. Without Gore, the 49ers’ offensive production will fall on the shoulders of quarterback Shaun Hill who as of late appears capable of weathering the load.

After limiting Buffalo to just three points two weeks ago, the 49ers’ defense controlled Brett Favre and the Jets’ attack. The defense allowed 14 points to the Jets, gave up 137 passing yards to Favre, sacked him three times and intercepted him once. For two straight weeks now, the defense has held opponents to under 20 points, which is a large achievement for a unit that’s given up 30-plus points six times this year.

Miami (8-5) presents numerous problems for the 49ers’ defense, especially if Chad Pennington plays as efficiently as he did in last week’s win over the Bills. The quarterback back went 23-for-29 for 181 yards. In addition to Pennington, the 49ers will have to contend with dual-threat running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. In Miami’s “Wildcat” formation, you’re apt to see Brown lined up in the shotgun and Williams positioned beside him. Brown can run, pass or hand the ball to Williams, which presents three different options a defense must concern itself with. Linebacker Patrick Willis and his impressive speed must show up to chase down Brown and Williams.

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Last Sunday, Hill connected with 10 different 49er receivers and went 28-for-39 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. To upset the Dolphins, he’ll have to at least duplicate that effort and possibly even improve upon it if Gore can’t start. The best way to keep Miami’s potent offense on the sideline is to put together a few long time-consuming drives.

After the victory over the Jets, all the talk surrounded head coach Mike Singletary and if he’d now done enough to turn his interim tag into a permanent one. Under Singletary, the 49ers have gone 3-3, which looks better than the average mark it is only because of the team’s prior miserable record. When Singletary took over, San Francisco was 2-5 and had lost four straight games.

Another victory, especially against Miami or Washington might clinch the deal for Singletary or put 49er management in the difficult position of feeling as though they have to name him as their head coach. It would be wise for them to stay silent—let the season play out and then evaluate his performance. But, a win in Miami would severely tip the scale in Singletary’s favor.

All that talk can wait another three weeks because the 49ers can still finish—amazingly—with an 8-8 mark, which would be a minor miracle.

By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent