Game story
In Week 15 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-14, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 14–9 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
S. Hill (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with +0.95 total EPA, and +0.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, I. Bruce (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.86 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-24.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (1:07) 13-S.Hill sacked at MIA 28 for -7 yards (55-J.Porter). PENALTY on MIA-55-J.Porter, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 14 yards, enforced between downs.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Miami Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 I. Bruce · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +7.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
- 2 D. Martin · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
- 3 C. Pennington · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +4.25 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 4 B. Johnson · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.94 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
- 5 J. Haynos · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.82 EPA/play
- 6 D. Bess · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.26 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 7 A. Fasano · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
- 8 R. Brown · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +1.84 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
I. Bruce — SF · Receiving
I. Bruce posted the highest total EPA (+7.86) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on San Francisco 49ers's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.12 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.10 EPA) came from Miami Dolphins: (9:58) 10-C.Pennington pass deep left to 88-D.Martin for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — D. Martin (C. Pennington pass)
- Miami Dolphins — J. Haynos (C. Pennington pass)
Field goals
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–3. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the SF 61 (Q1 54:58) — (9:58) 10-C.Pennington pass deep left to 88-D.Martin for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 54:46) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the MIA 20 (Q1 49:02) — (4:02) 6-J.Nedney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the SF 19 (Q2 38:34) — (8:34) 10-C.Pennington pass deep middle to 81-J.Haynos for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 38:27) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..
The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the MIA 5 (Q3 17:50) — (2:50) 6-J.Nedney 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the MIA 10 (Q4 9:26) — (9:26) 6-J.Nedney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:07) — (1:07) 13-S.Hill sacked at MIA 28 for -7 yards (55-J.Porter). PENALTY on MIA-55-J.Porter, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 14 yards, enforced between downs.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short middle to 24-M.Robinson to MIA 21 for 13 yards (29-T.Culver).
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 54:58) — (9:58) 10-C.Pennington pass deep left to 88-D.Martin for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) 5-D.Carpenter 49 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Crossbar, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:13) — (1:13) 13-S.Hill pass incomplete deep left to 88-I.Bruce.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 54:58) — (9:58) 10-C.Pennington pass deep left to 88-D.Martin for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) 5-D.Carpenter 49 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Crossbar, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
- Miami Dolphins (Q2 38:34) — (8:34) 10-C.Pennington pass deep middle to 81-J.Haynos for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:07) — (1:07) 13-S.Hill sacked at MIA 28 for -7 yards (55-J.Porter). PENALTY on MIA-55-J.Porter, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 14 yards, enforced between downs.
Quarterback report card
S.Hill led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- S.Hill (San Francisco 49ers) · 54 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +0.8% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.95 total EPA
- C.Pennington (Miami Dolphins) · 22 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -1.1% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +4.25 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | San Francisco 49ers | Miami Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.015 | +0.019 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.5% | 43.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.008 | +0.193 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.048 | -0.015 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.019 | +0.015 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.7% | 58.5% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (San Francisco 49ers -0.01, Miami Dolphins +0.02) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Miami Dolphins: 10 drives, +1.12 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 9 drives, -1.42 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- I. Bruce (San Francisco 49ers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 54:58 · SF 61 · Score 0-6
(9:58) 10-C.Pennington pass deep left to 88-D.Martin for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 54:46 · SF 2 · Score 0-7
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 49:02 · MIA 20 · Score 3-7
(4:02) 6-J.Nedney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 38:34 · SF 19 · Score 3-13
(8:34) 10-C.Pennington pass deep middle to 81-J.Haynos for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 38:27 · SF 2 · Score 3-14
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q3 17:50 · MIA 5 · Score 6-14
(2:50) 6-J.Nedney 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 9:26 · MIA 10 · Score 9-14
(9:26) 6-J.Nedney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins?
The Miami Dolphins beat the San Francisco 49ers 14-9 in Week 15, 2008 on 2008-12-14.
What was the final score of San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins?
The final score was San Francisco 49ers 9, Miami Dolphins 14 (SF 9-14 MIA) in Week 15, 2008 on 2008-12-14.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 3, Miami Dolphins 7; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 0, Miami Dolphins 7; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 3, Miami Dolphins 0; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 3, Miami Dolphins 0; Final: San Francisco 49ers 9, Miami Dolphins 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — D. Martin (C. Pennington pass) (Q1 54:58) Miami Dolphins touchdown — J. Haynos (C. Pennington pass) (Q2 38:34) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q1 49:02, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q3 17:50, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q4 9:26, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins?
S. Hill (San Francisco 49ers), 55.6% completion, +0.8% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.95 total passing EPA. C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins), 54.5% completion, -1.1% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +4.25 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins?
I. Bruce (San Francisco 49ers) led the game in total EPA with +7.86 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.10 EPA): (9:58) 10-C.Pennington pass deep left to 88-D.Martin for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -24.9%.
Was San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Miami Dolphins won 14-9 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 5-8 Now 5-9 L
Miami Dolphins
Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W
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