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 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.

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

Brock Purdy had his team in position for a comeback win but came up short in the city of his childhood hero Dan Marino.

The 49ers just lost 29-17 to the Miami Dolphins. Here are the 49ers' grades for this performance. QUARTERBACK: C Brock Purdy played well until the final two minutes of the game. That's when he needed to lead a touchdown drive in 2 minutes and 10 seconds with his team down by 5 points.