The Miami Dolphins (0-2) closed out their West Coast swing with a 35-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers (2-0). Miami stayed within reach through the first half before San Francisco created separation in the third quarter.
The Dolphins involved running back De'Von Achane early, giving him five touches on the opening drive. After four consecutive rushes, quarterback Malik Willis then connected with Achane for six yards through the air to move Miami into field goal range, but kicker Riley Patterson's 51-yard attempt missed wide right.
San Francisco opened the scoring on its first possession, with quarterback Brock Purdy completing passes to four different receivers before running back Christian McCaffrey capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Eddy Piñeiro added the extra point to give the 49ers an early 7-0 lead.
Miami answered with a 17-play, 63-yard drive that reached the 49ers' 10-yard line, and Patterson converted a 28-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3.
San Francisco started its next possession at its own 29-yard line. Purdy notched an 18-yard run and a 19-yard completion to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson to set up first-and-goal before scoring on a two-yard run. Piñeiro added the extra point to make it 14-3.
Willis connected with wide receiver Malik Washington for 23 yards to move the chains on the following drive, and Patterson knocked through a 24-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, sending the Dolphins into the locker room trailing 14-6. Achane closed out the half with 14 carries, tying a career high for the opening two quarters.
The 49ers extended their lead in the third quarter, scoring three times. Purdy connected with tight end George Kittle on a 40-yard pass before later finding Kittle again for a 12-yard touchdown. On the following possession, Purdy completed all five of his attempts for 67 yards, including three straight gains of 21, 17 and 21 yards, before finding Kyle Juszczyk in the end zone to make it 28-6.
After Miami turned the ball over on downs, San Francisco took over at the Dolphins' 28-yard line. Purdy connected with wide receiver Mike Evans on a 27-yard reception to set up first-and-goal, before McCaffrey scored from the 1-yard line to close the third quarter at 35-6.
Miami found the end zone in the fourth quarter when Willis connected deep down the right sideline with wide receiver Ryan Miller for a 77-yard touchdown, his first score as a Dolphin.
Willis finished 14-of-23 passing (60.9 pct.) for 197 yards, one touchdown and a 103.0 passer rating, while adding six yards on the ground. Achane totaled 74 rushing yards on 20 carries (3.7 avg.), while Washington added four receptions for 43 yards. Taaffe finished with a team-high nine total tackles (five solo), while inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez added eight tackles (three solo).
The Dolphins return home to Miami Gardens for their Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, September 27 at 1 p.m. in Hard Rock Stadium.
