Four keys for the Miami Dolphins against the San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are the better and more experienced team entering Sunday, so this is going to be a difficult task for a young Dolphins roster.

If Miami is going to give itself a real chance, it cannot repeat the mistakes that cost it last week in Las Vegas. The Dolphins have to start faster, stay out of bad situations and make San Francisco earn everything.

Here are my four keys to the game.

1. Stop the run and win first down

This is the biggest one for me.

San Francisco ran for 174 yards in Week 1. Christian McCaffrey can press one gap, force the defense to commit and cut into the opening. Rookie Kaelon Black gives the 49ers another physical option inside.

Miami cannot allow San Francisco’s shifts and motion to pull defenders away from their assignments. Follow your key, control your gap and trust the defender next to you.

The Dolphins do not have to completely shut down the running game. They need to create second-and-8 instead of allowing Brock Purdy to operate in second-and-4 with the entire playbook available.

2. Start fast, stay on schedule and create more opportunities

Miami averaged 5.2 yards per play against the Raiders but ran only 50 offensive plays. Five sacks and a 2-for-10 performance on third down kept ending possessions.

Get Malik Willis started with the short, quick passing game. Give De’Von Achane early carries and remain committed to the run, even if every attempt is not explosive.

Four-yard gains still matter. They keep Miami out of third-and-long and help Willis establish a rhythm. Once San Francisco begins moving forward, Miami can take its shots downfield to Caleb Douglas.

The Dolphins need to reach the 60s in offensive snaps and move their third-down conversion rate closer to 40% than 20%.

3. Disrupt Purdy’s timing and manufacture pressure

Dolphins fans should know this offense. We watched a similar version of it here for the last four years, built around timing, rhythm, and anticipation.

Purdy trusts what he sees and throws the ball to a spot, sometimes before the receiver even gets there. Miami has to make him hesitate, take away that first window and force him to move to his next read.

With Chop Robinson out, the Dolphins may have to manufacture some of that pressure. Hafley can show pressure and drop defenders out or bring an extra rusher occasionally, but Miami cannot blitz recklessly. If the pressure does not get there, Purdy will quickly find Christian McCaffrey or George Kittle underneath.

One thing I noticed last week was Jacob Rodriguez’s feel in zone coverage and the depth he was able to get. That helped Miami create both interceptions.

The Dolphins need more of that Sunday. Rodriguez, Jordyn Brooks and the safeties have to recognize where Purdy wants to go, close those throwing windows and make him hold the ball for one extra beat. That might be all the pass rush needs.

4. Win the turnover and field-position battle

Miami cannot give San Francisco extra possessions or short fields. Protect the football, cover kicks and punts and make the 49ers go the long way. Do not give them easy conversions through penalties, missed tackles or coverage mistakes. Make them earn everything.

Purdy is going to trust what he sees and let the ball go. If he puts one in danger, Miami has to take advantage. You cannot come out of this game saying, “We almost had one.” If the opportunity is there, finish the play, get the interception and give the offense another possession.

At the very least, Miami has to finish even in the turnover battle. If the Dolphins can steal a possession and use special teams to flip the field, that gives them a real chance to keep this game close into the fourth quarter.