49ers dominate in loss to Miami
'Niners lose 14-9
In a game the 49ers dominated, but lost 14-9, the team’s lack of a play-making offensive threat became frustratingly apparent after too many red zone drives sputtered, died and resulted in a field goal. Without running back Frank Gore, who missed the game with a sprained ankle, the 49ers lacked that one player capable of putting the finishing touches on drives deep into Dolphin territory. Instead, the 49ers’ overwhelming offensive statistics went for naught because they couldn’t push the ball into the end zone.
San Francisco (5-9) played its best game of the season on both sides of the ball against Miami. The defense held the Dolphins scoreless over the final 38 ½ minutes of the game, while the offense controlled the clock, ran 37 more plays and were in position to win the game at the end. Unfortunately, Joey Porter got loose on fourth down and sacked Shaun Hill to clinch the victory for the Dolphins.
While the 49ers moved the ball with consistency on several long drives, they just couldn’t find the end zone, which made the difference in the game. Hill went 30-for-46 for 233 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He threw the ball well, found eight different San Francisco receivers, but when it counted didn’t make the big throw. But, it wasn’t all Hill’s fault as his receiving core is without a player with the individual talent to make something happen down towards the goal line. When the 49ers decided to sit J.T. O’Sullivan for Hill, they also made a decision to transition into a short passing game. But, in doing so, did the 49ers handcuff themselves and limit their explosiveness for a plodding style?
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The loss clinched another losing season for the 49ers and snuffed out their quest to go 8-8, which would have become quite possible with a victory in Miami. Though the defense limited Miami to only 14 points, it wasn’t necessarily a great day for the unit. A mistake in coverage led to both scores, which ended up being the difference in the game. An error by free safety Mark Roman allowed Miami’s first touchdown. With an already long list of needs, the 49ers can probably add safety after Roman’s dismal play this year.
As for interim head coach Mike Singletary, the doubters have returned and have pointed to his game day coaching decisions as an area of weakness. Singletary is a great motivator, but as a field tactician, the jury is still out. But, a decisive win over the Rams next Sunday will return him to a favored spot among the faithful. Whether it’s his job to lose or his job already, Singletary has gotten the 49ers to play with more fire and to be dangerous each week. And that’s more than Mike Nolan could muster out of the players.
With two weeks left, it’s time to evaluate and the needs are many. The 49ers need help on both lines, in the secondary and in every talent spot on offense besides running back. Now the season becomes two games, after 14 weeks, it’s boiled down to just two. Win the last two, maybe split and things don’t seem as desperate, but drop the final two and a house cleaning might be in order.
By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent