The San Francisco 49ers will face one of their biggest tests of the season on Sunday when they host the Miami Dolphins.
Miami is 8-3 and features an offense that, at times, has seemed as powerful as a military jet, as well as a young quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa who may be developing into an elite signal-caller.
The 49ers have the NFL’s best defense, but it has been banged up.
Luckily, they have gotten some good news, as defensive end Arik Armstead will finally return against the Dolphins.
Armstead Should Help Contain Tagovailoa
Every effective pass rush needs two pass rushers, and although Nick Bosa is one of the best in that department, he has been without the help of Armstead since Week 4 due to foot and ankle injuries.
Armstead isn’t quite as prolific as Bosa, but he did have six sacks, seven tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits last season.
The 49ers need to find a way to make the 24-year-old Tagovailoa feel uncomfortable and force him to make some mistakes.
He hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 4 versus the Cincinnati Bengals, and he has been sacked only six times since.
This game will be extra intriguing because Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins’ head coach, was the Niners’ offensive coordinator as recently as last season.
In addition, two of Miami’s main running backs, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., are former 49ers.
Mostert spent five full seasons in San Francisco before joining the Fins for this season, while Wilson was traded there a few weeks ago after four and a half seasons with the 49ers.
More must-reads: