Dolphins Vs. 49ers Preview: History, Numbers and Connections Behind the Game

Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers return home to Candlestick Park after a mistake fueled loss to the St. Louis Rams last week.  The Niners had multiple opportunities to win the game in overtime, but failed 16-13 to the Rams.  The Miami Dolphins also suffered a defeat last week and are traveling cross-country for the game.  Miami lost 23-16 to the Patriots at home.  The last time San Francisco and Miami met was in 2008 with the Dolphins winning 14-9.

The 49ers are way better on offense and defense than the Dolphins.  If the 49ers can force Dolphins rookie QB Ryan Tannihill into mistakes they will bounce back with a win on Sunday.  My prediction is the Niners win 27-10.

The History

The 49ers and Dolphins don’t have too much of a history with only 11 games played since 1973.  One of the 11 meetings, however, was in Super Bowl XIX with Joe Montana crushing Dan Marino 38-16.  Montana was named Super Bowl MVP and he completed 24 of 35 passes for a Super Bowl record 331 yards and three touchdowns. He also broke the Super Bowl record for most rushing yards gained by a quarterback with 5 rushes for 59 yards and 1 rushing touchdown.

Matchups: 11

Series Record: Dolphins lead series 6-5

49ers Home Record vs. Dolphins: Dolphins lead series 3-2

49ers Away Record vs. Dolphins: Dolphins lead series 3-2

First Meeting: September 16, 1973, Dolphins won 21-13 at Miami.

Last Meeting: December 14, 2008, Dolphins won 14-9 at Miami.

Current Streak: Lost 2

Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 (January 20, 1985 – December 16, 2001)

Longest Dolphins Win Streak: 4 (September 16, 1973 – November 6, 1983)

Most 49ers Points: 44 (November 20, 1995): 44-20, at Miami.

Most Dolphins Points: 24 (November 28, 2004): 24-17 at San Francisco.

49ers Shutouts: 1 (December 16, 2001), 49ers won 21-0 at San Francisco.

Dolphins Shutouts: None

The Numbers

• 298: QB Colin Kaepernick has rushed for 298 yards this season, the most by a 49ers QB since Jeff Garcia rushed for 319 yards in 2003.
• 24: WR Michael Crabtree has registered 24 receptions on 3rd down, ranking 4th in the NFL.
• 5: The 49ers have won five out of six games against AFC opponents under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
• 2: 49ers rushing offense is ranked 2^nd in the NFL, averaging 162.1 rushing yards per game.
• 14.3: Niners defense ranks 1^st in the NFL in points allowed per game.
• 726:  Amount of rushing yards by Dolphins RB Reggie Bush this season.
• 10.5: Amount of sacks by Dolphins DE Cameron Wake.
• 4.49: Niners defense has allowed just 4.49 yards per play, ranking 1^st in the NFL.
• 23:  Niners defense has allowed just 23 drives to reach the red zone this season, ranking 1st in the NFL.

The Connections

• RB Frank Gore attended the University of Miami from 2000-2004 and is from Coral Gables, FL.
• LB Tavares Gooden is from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and attended the University of Miami from 2003-2007.
• DT Ricky Jean Francois is from Miami Gardens, FL.
• WR Ted Ginn, Jr. was selected by the Dolphins with the 9th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and played three seasons in Miami (2007-2009).
• RB Reggie Bush and 49ers QB Alex Smith were teammates at Helix HS in San Diego, CA.
• Dolphins T Jonathan Martin played for 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford from 2008-2010.
• Miami LB Josh Kaddu is from Vacaville, CA and attended Vacaville HS.
• Miami LB Koa Misi is from Santa Rosa, CA and attended Montgomery HS.
• 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was teammates with Dolphins S Jonathon Amaya at the University of Nevada from 2006-2009.
• 49ers QB Alex Smith and Dolphins DT Paul Soliai were teammates at Utah in 2004.
• 49ers TE Vernon Davis was a Maryland Terrapin with Dolphins T Randy Starks from 2003-2004.
• 49ers LB Patrick Willis and Dolphins G John Jerry were teammates at Ole Miss in 2006.
• 49ers CB Carlos Rogers was teammates with Dolphins LB Karlos Dansby at Auburn from 2001-2003.
• 49ers LB NaVorro Bowman and Dolphins DE Jared Odrick played on the same defense at Penn State from 2006-2009.
• 49ers WR Mario Manningham played at Michigan with Dolphins T Jake Long from 2005-07.
• 49ers G/T Alex Boone (2005-2008), S Donte Whitner (2003-2005) and WR Ted Ginn Jr. (2004-06) played with Dolphins WR Brian Hartline (2005-2008) at Ohio State.
• 49ers RB LaMichael James and Dolphins LB Josh Kaddu played their entire career (2008-2011) together at Oregon.
• In 11 career games against Miami, WR Randy Moss has 46 receptions for 786 yards and 10 TDs.
• 49ers secondary coach Ed Donatell was the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers while Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was the Packers offensive line coach in 2003.
• Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was also with the Packers, serving as head coach while Donatell was on his staff from 2000-2003.
• Dolphins Assistant special teams coach Dave Fipp spent three seasons in the same capacity for the 49ers (2008-2010) and coached at San Jose State from 2005-2007.