The 29-17 loss to the Dolphins perfectly encapsulated the campaign: statistically strong but fundamentally rotten. On Sunday, the Niners averaged more yards per play than the Dophins. San Francisco’s defense held Miami to 4-of-12 on third downs and only one red-zone touchdown in three tries.

Any hope that the 2024 San Francisco 49ers are some better version of themselves has rapidly been extinguished over the last six weeks, with a 29-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins acting as the latest batch of evidence that this year’s team never really had it.

The 49ers ended the game missing the left side of their offensive line and getting little production from backup tailback Patrick Taylor Jr.

Dre Greenlaw was back in the lineup Sunday in a 27-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins, but not for long. The 49ers’ linebacker made a triumphant return from Achilles tendon surgery in a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams that was 305 days after he was injured in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

The Detroit Lions (13-2) and San Francisco 49ers (6-9) meet at Levi's Stadium in Week 17 for Monday Night Football. Kickoff in the rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game is scheduled for 8:15 p.

San Francisco has lost five of its last six games, with the one victory coming against the Bears, losers of nine in a row.