The Miami Dolphins are the best team in Miami. When was the last time I could’ve said that?
In the NFL, they have been the most improved from the middle of September till now.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, ran for 113 yards. Three more yards in Miami territory may have resulted in overtime, or an attempted two-point conversion after a score. The bottom line is the game would not have ended if Ndamukong Suh did not tackle Kaepernick two yards short of the goal line as time ran out.
The Dolphins handed the 49ers a franchise-record 10th consecutive loss by winning 31-24.
On the opposite side of the field, Dolphins first-year head coach Adam Gase has his team now on a six-game winning streak. Here is a thought: legendary Dolphins head coach Don Shula won six in a row 11 times.
The running game against the 49ers is not what set the tone early. Ryan Tannehill came out like a western cowboy. He threw for 285 yards and three scores. Miami running back Jay Ajayi had a quiet day in the office. The offensive line was missing three starters. He gained 45 yards on 18 carries against a 49ers defense ranked last in the league against the run. “They decided they were going to make us throw to win,” Tannehill said. “So that’s what we did.” Tannehill, who is in his fifth season, threw his 100th career touchdown pass in the second quarter to Don Sims to give the Dolphins a 14-7 lead.
Tannehill was making history on the field, while Kaepernick was making history off the field. Leading up to Sunday’s game, Kaepernick faced criticism for defending former Cuban leader Fidel Castro during a conference call Wednesday with the South Florida media. Castro, who died Friday, is widely detested among South Florida’s large Cuban-American population. Along with drawn mixed reactions for kneeling during the national anthem all season, he has worked his right of freedom of speech.
Subtracting Kaepernick’s freedom of speech, he reminded many how talented and brilliant of a quarterback he is. At his best a dual-threat quarterback who cannot be stopped. This was the first game I have seen him recapture his form dating back to the 2012 season.
With 11 seconds to go and the 49ers at the Dolphins 24-yard line, Jeremy Kerley had a tip-toeing catch that was under review at the six. The officials ruled it a catch. Two plays later, Kaepernick with a calm demeanor almost found a way to give the 49ers their second win of the season and end the Dolphins’ losing streak.
“I asked them to go four quarters with me and they did,” Kaepernick stated. “The defense did a great job at the end to give me an opportunity to get the ball back and go score. We had some great plays on that final drive. We have to be able to finish these with touchdowns.”
Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso who is of Cuban descent was a large part of the final play in assisting Suh with the tackle of Kaepernick.
When the game was over Dolphins players came over to hug Kaepernick and other 49ers players moreover exchange jerseys. This is America people.
The beat goes on…The 49ers visit the Chicago Bears while the Dolphins take their talents to Baltimore to face the Ravens.
