SAN FRANCISCO — This is the live blog for the third quarter of the 49ers Week 14 game against the Miami Dolphins. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
2:33 Justin Smith bats down Tannehill’s pass at the line of scrimmage on second and seven, and on third down, Justin Smith chases Tannehill out of the pocket and he throws it away. That’s the Dolphins’ first three-and-out of the game. They punt. Ginn returns the punt 12 yards to the SF 36 yard line.
2:36 On first down, Kaepernick runs a zone read with LaMichael James from a full house pistol formation. Kaepernick keeps the ball and runs around the left end for five yards.
2:37 The 49ers use the same formation on second down. James runs a sweep to the left and gains one yard. It seems Roman’s adjustment is more pistol, more James and less Gore. Third and four.
2:38 Tavares Gooden has a rib injury and his return is questionable. The 49ers have lost two special teams players in this game.
2:40 On third and four, Jared Odrick beats Alex Boone and sacks Kaepernick. Andy Lee punts, and it’s almost blocked. Thigpen tries to catch it at his own nine yard line for some reason, and fumbles. C.J. Spillman recovers. First and goal for the 49ers.
2:41 Dixon runs a sweep to the left and dives forward for eight yards. Great run. He might be the 49ers second best running back right now. Second and goal at the 1.
2:42 Next play, Gore runs up the middle for the touchdown. Chryst calls two conservative red zone plays again, but they pay off. 13-3 49ers after Thigpen’s bonehead fumble.
2:45 For the second week in a row, the Fins’ special teams betrays them. They were playing the Pats tough last week, too.
2:46 Thigpen returns this kick 56 yards to the SF 49.
2:46 Tannehill completes a pass to Bess over the middle, Willis hits him and forces a fumble, Goldson whiffs when trying to recover it and the Dolphins get it. Second and five.
2:47 Next play, Tannehill dumps a short pass to Reggie Bush for a first down. Whitner body slams him after an 11-yard gain.
2:48 Next play, Reggie Bush is flagged for holding Aldon Smith. First and 20.
2:50 Next play, Tarell Brown is flagged for holding, which gives the Dolphins first and 10 at the SF 40.
2:52 Chris Culliver bats away a long pass to Hartline. Carpenter makes the 53-yard field goal. 13-6 Niners with 6:53 left in the third quarter.
2:54 James returns the kickoff to the 17 yard line where he goes down on first contact.
2:59 The 49ers drive the ball to midfield using the pistol formation and the zone read play. Gore lost two yards on a zone read run, and James gained 13 yards. James is better right now than Gore on that play. Also, Crabtree caught two passes for 23 yards. The 49ers call timeout to avoid a delay penalty. That’s the second time they’ve done that today. He as 7 catches for 85 yards.
3:01 After the timeout, Roman calls a flea flicker, and Moss drops the deep pass in the end zone.
3:02 James gains about 15 yards on a counter sweep, but Iupati is flagged or holding. Harbaugh disagrees, but it was clearly a hold. Second and 20 at the SF 47.
3:02 Roman calls a screen to Gore. Gore breaks five tackles and gains 19 yards.
3:04 Roman calls a bad play on third and 1. He makes Kaepernick roll to the left and cut off half the field. Kaepernick cannot complete a pass to Moss on the sideline.
3:05 The 49ers go for it on fourth and 1. Kaepernick throws to Crabtree, and the Dolphins are flagged for pass interference.
3:06 Gore runs up the middle for nine yards on first down, and then the 49ers burn another timeout. They have one left. Second and one at the Fins’ 20 yard line with 1:01 left in the third quarter.
3:08 Gore picks up three yards on third and one. On first and 10 from the 18, Roman calls the pitch counter run for James again, and this time he’s tackled for a 2-yard loss. It’s not smart to call the same gadget play twice in one drive.
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