Niners hit brick wall, fall 14-9
By Orly Jr.
Despite holding the ball for almost 40 minutes for the 2nd straight game, and converting 8 of 17 3rd down conversions, the 49ers offense gave up 5 sacks and failed to produce a TD and lost a defensive battle to the Playoff bound Miami Dolphins, 14-9. Mistakes were plenty for the 49ers.
Shaun Hill, who played admirably, finished 30 of 46 for just 233 yards, averaging only 5 yards a throw. Hill was sacked 5 times, including on the last play of the game as LB Joey Porter beat RT Barry Sims for the game winner.
The 49ers were without Frank Gore due to a ankle injury and WR Arnaz Battle, who was put on the IR, but the 49ers did have their moments.
A long 15+ play drive before the half ended with the penalties and sack, and the 49ers wound up trailing 14-3 at the half.
The second half mirrored the 1st half as the 49ers put several long time consuming drives only to wind up with 3 points and triming into Miami's lead.
Mark Roman was beaten on a deep pass to TE David Martin which resulted in the Dolphins 1st score of the game. The 49ers fall to 5-9 and Miami falls back into a three way tie in the AFC East at 9-5 as both the NY Jets and Patriots also won.
The loss also guarantees the 49ers a Sixth straight loosing season.
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Hill leads Niners to win over Playoff bound Jets
Shaun Hill has been awesome, and he proved once again that the 49ers are a team not to be taken lightly in the last remaining weeks of the season. Hill lead a 49er offense that had the ball for almost 40 minutes of the game in large part to the 49ers converting over 50% of the 3rd down conversions. Hill finished 29 of 38 for 285 yards and 2 tds with 1 int. Hill was robbed of 2 more TD passes when Jason Hill fumbled at the goal line (fumble was recovered for a TD by OT Joe Staley) and on a TD pass to Delaine Walker which was called back on a holding call by Staley.
Lost among the huge win for the 49ers was the loss of running back Frank Gore, who left the game in the 3rd quarter with an ankle injury.
The win by the 49ers improved their record to 5-8, 2nd in the NFC West and helped Interm Coach Mike Singletary improve to 3-3 since taking over for Mike Nolan.
The 49ers secondary, without the help of Nate Clements due to an injury, held the Jets top 2 WRs, Cotchery and Coles to just 2 catches for 15 yards.
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