The Miami Dolphins are practically begging the 49ers to overlook them this week, and honestly, that’s just wild. I know, a trap game this early in the season sounds insane, but after a long flight and an emotional win, going against an opponent that “doesn’t seem like much” is exactly where you get caught. Don’t forget, the Dolphins are still an NFL team, with a young, hungry, mobile QB-led team that’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain from embarrassing the 49ers. This squad even started rallying on the Raiders before getting put away. Their wide receiver Caleb Douglas seems like the real deal, so the Niners’ secondary can’t be coasting just because they shut down Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Everyone better lock in at practice today.
That Run Game Is Cooking, But Kittle’s Health Is A Question Mark
Looking back at Week 1, the 49ers’ run game looked super coordinated. They definitely went back to their zone-heavy roots, and you gotta wonder if leaning on “Dash” really helped simplify things. It just made things easier for the offensive line, and honestly, every run kinda looked the same sometimes. They consistently attacked the Rams’ weak linebacker corps, and the coordination on those help blocks and second-level climbs was outstanding. The offensive line is legitimately good right now, with a healthy Trent Williams and Dom Puni making a massive difference. Colby, though, looked a little weak at times, allowing a team-high six run stops, but he definitely had great moments too.
Now, let’s talk about George Kittle. And this is tough to hear, but the man doesn’t look near where he was last year before his injury. I wouldn’t even expect him to be, frankly. He had some nice blocks on the move, no doubt, but he just can’t really power off his surgically-repaired right leg. That’s a huge issue for a guy who’s so critical to their offense.
Defense Is Disruptive, But They Need More D-Ends, Pronto
On the defensive side, the 49ers didn’t really go to dime looks until the fourth quarter against the Rams, once LA had all but abandoned their run game and 13 personnel. I absolutely love that. Raheem Morris used the 49ers’ best DBs, letting Deommodore Lenoir thrive in that “Star/Jackal/Apex/positionless” role that’s really just a second nickel. That was so effective, it’d be stunning if this was a one-off experiment. Also, the 49ers were so effective at running stunts, far cleaner than in the past. It created a ton of effective disruption and definitely helped limit some of the wear and tear Nick Bosa would face with head-up rushes.
Even with Mykel Williams and Keion White coming back after Week 4, who can both play a lot of defensive tackle snaps on obvious passing downs, the bigger need is still at defensive end. There are just way more quality defensive ends available out there, a list that includes Haason Reddick, Leonard Floyd, and Joey Bosa. The 49ers need to address that if they’re serious.
So, the 49ers are heading into this Dolphins game needing to be locked in from the jump. You don’t want to get caught napping against a “nothing to lose” team, especially when a key player like Kittle is dealing with a significant leg issue and the defensive line still has a glaring need. This is a real test early on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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