MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are aiming for a playoff spot for the third consecutive year, and to do so, they will need their star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to participate more actively in practices over the next two weeks.

Hill mentioned that his veteran rest days during practice contributed to him dropping three passes thrown by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa that he should have caught.

Fortunately, Hill managed to secure at least one crucial catch, which helped keep the Dolphins’ slim playoff chances alive.

During the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Tagovailoa celebrated his 100^th career touchdown pass to Hill, leading the Dolphins to a 29-17 victory and maintaining their playoff hopes.

De’Von Achane capped off the game with a 50-yard touchdown run with 1:36 remaining, and Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou sealed the win with an interception of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on the preceding drive.

Despite the win, Hill accepted some responsibility, noting that the game should not have been so close—especially since the 49ers had just learned before kickoff that they were out of playoff contention.

“I need those important reps with Tua. Those rest days are starting to affect me,” Hill reflected after the game, where he recorded 29 yards from three catches on seven targets. “I take full responsibility for not being aware and missing the ball.”

Tagovailoa added, “If he feels that way, then we really need to practice together more. We need to build that chemistry. That’s crucial for me to connect with all the players.”

Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders contributed to the win by making five field goals, helping Miami improve to a record of 7-8, matching the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, who each secured victories on the same day. All three teams needed their wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Miami has a chance for another week of competition—a remarkable turnaround considering their rough start this season, beginning with a 2-6 record after Tagovailoa missed four games due to a concussion sustained in Week 2.

“Our situation hasn’t changed. We must focus on what we can control,” said Dolphins veteran left tackle Terron Armstead. “We got ourselves here, and our only job now is to beat the Browns. … Winning is a must.”

For the 49ers, the disappointment was palpable as they were eliminated from playoff contention before the game began, following the Washington Commanders’ upset over the Philadelphia Eagles (36-33).

The 49ers briefly threatened to turn the game around when Purdy connected with tight end Eric Saubert for his second touchdown of the game with 12:02 remaining. However, their chances faded quickly with a four-and-out play, several penalties, and Purdy’s interception.

Purdy accrued 313 yards and two touchdown passes, with his first touchdown thrown to Deebo Samuel, who had only scored twice all season prior to this game.

Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed that he was unaware of his team’s elimination status but recognized the downward trend following their disappointing performance the prior week against the Los Angeles Rams.

“That didn’t impact this game. We felt this coming last week. We knew the situation and what was at stake,” Shanahan commented.

With this loss, San Francisco begins their offseason sooner than expected, following a Super Bowl appearance last season and three consecutive appearances in NFC title games.

The 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints were all officially removed from playoff contention this Sunday as the postseason picture tightens with just two weeks left in the NFL season.

Tagovailoa completed 22 of 34 passes, totaling 215 yards and a touchdown, while Achane led the Dolphins’ rushing game with 121 yards, and he also caught 70 yards in passes, finishing the game with his 11^th total touchdown of the season.

“I’m proud of this team’s effort. It puts us in a position to compete in December,” third-year Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel remarked.

Hill, dealing with knee, foot, and wrist injuries in his ninth NFL season, has six touchdowns this year. He had previously caught the 100^th touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes while with the Kansas City Chiefs in a close win against the Carolina Panthers on November 8, 2020.

The Dolphins need to secure victories in their final two away games against the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets to keep their playoff dreams alive. The franchise currently holds the record for the longest playoff victory drought in the NFL at 24 years.

“We’re taking it one game at a time,” Tagovailoa stated. “We’ve dealt with the 49ers, and now we’ll focus on the Browns, especially with Christmas around the corner.”