The San Francisco 49ers are back in action, with a chance at setting a franchise record for most consecutive losses. Or, I suppose they have a chance at snapping it and getting their second win of the season. Glass half empty, half full, ya know?
This week, the 49ers are on the road for the start of a two-game road trip, facing the Miami Dolphins in Week 12. They face the Chicago Bears in Week 13, and in between the two games, they will stay in Orlando and practice at the University of Central Florida. The Dolphins game kicks off at 10:00 am PT on FOX with Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis in the booth, and Holly Sonders handling sideline duties. The television broadcast is entirely regional in Northern California and South Florida. We broke down the broadcast maps here.
The 49ers have lost nine straight games, and are coming off a 30-17 loss to the New England Patriots. The 49ers showed life in the first half, trailing 13-10 heading into the second quarter. Unfortunately, the offense shut down in the third quarter, and before too long, they were too far behind to mount much of a comeback.
Miami comes into this game having won five straight games, most recently in the final minute on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. It has been more about the Dolphins defense taking care of business, but they have been getting just enough from the offense. The insertion of Jay Ajayi into the starting lineup has been big for getting the ground game going. Ryan Tannehill remains wildly inconsistent, but he has done enough late to make some plays.
The 49ers will likely be without outside linebacker Aaron Lynch for a fourth straight game. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 7, and while he has been practicing the last two weeks, all eyewitness reports suggest a gimpy Lynch. Cornerback Jimmie Ward is listed as questionable after suffering a concussion in Week 11. He was limited on Thursday and Friday, and there is no word if he has been cleared through the protocol. Finally, wide receiver Torrey Smith is dealing with a shoulder injury that cost him Week 11, which marked the first missed game of his career. He was listed as limited all week in practice.
The Dolphins offensive line is incredibly banged up, with center Mike Puncey out, left tackle Branden Albert likely out, and guard/tackle Laremy Tunsil dealing with a shoulder injury. If the 49ers are going to attack a particular weakness, it will be going at this line.
The 49ers are a touchdown underdog. San Francisco is 1-9 straight up, and 2-8 against the spread, while Miami is 6-4 both SU and ATS. This is a tough game to call. The Dolphins could be looking at a letdown following a tough win over the Rams, and home facing an awful 49ers team. On the other hand, maybe Adam Gase gets his guys up to make a statement against the team that decided not to hire him in 2015. I think the 49ers cover in a close loss, but they’ve been pretty bad and could show it again in Week 12.
Nuts and bolts
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Game time: Sunday, November 27, 10:00 a.m. PT
TV channel: FOX
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero/Gabriel Sotelo)
Matchup history: 17-5
Announcers: Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Holly Sonders
Enemy blog: The Phinsider
Twitter: @ninersnation
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!
49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams - 28-0 WIN
Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers - 46-27 LOSS
Week 3: @ Seattle Seahawks - 37-18 LOSS
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys - 24-17 LOSS
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals - 33-21 LOSS
Week 6: @ Buffalo Bills - 45-16 LOSS
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 34-17 LOSS
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints - 41-23 LOSS
Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals - 23-20 LOSS
Week 11: vs. New England Patriots - 30-17 LOSS
Week 12: @ Miami Dolphins, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, November 27
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears, 10:00 a.m., FOX Sunday, December 4
Week 14: vs. New York Jets, 1:05 p.m., CBS Sunday, December 11
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 18
Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX Saturday, December 24
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, January 1