Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco (grass)
Forecast: Mid-60s, 7 mph wind
When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: San Francisco by 10
2012 records -- 49ers (8-3-1, NFC West: 2-1-1); Dolphins (5-7, AFC East: 1-2).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 14, 2008: Dolphins 14, 49ers 9; November 28, 2004: Dolphins 24, 49ers 17. Series record: Dolphins lead 6-5.
What matters: This is a must-win for the Dolphins to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Miami likely needs to win out, but with a soft upcoming schedule, the team has a chance at the postseason. An ugly loss could see a team laden with veterans in the final year of their contracts turn on first-year coach Joe Philbin.
Who matters: Rookie QB Ryan Tannehill is struggling with his accuracy. The eighth-overall pick in April’s draft completed just 13 of 29 passes for 186 yards with a lost fumble in last week’s defeat to New England. Overall, the rookie has completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,559 yards with seven touchdowns against 12 interceptions this season. Meantime, DE Cameron Wake has regained his burst, recording at least one sack in seven of his past nine games. The former Penn State standout has 11 sacks to go with 38 tackles this season.
Key matchups: Rookie OT Jonathan Martin has been forced to move from the right to left side as former No. 1 overall pick, OT Jake Long was put on injured reserve due to a triceps injury. Martin has a tall task containing San Francisco LB Aldon Smith, who has a NFL-high 17.5 sacks this season. Meantime, backup OT Nate Garner is expected to start on the right side. Garner struggled in pass protection last week and allowed a crucial sack that led to a fumble against the Patriots.
Injuries of note: TE Charles Clay (ribs), P Brandon Fields (knee) and DB Jimmy Wilson (hip) were limited at practice on Thursday. Everyone else was a full participant.
Inside stuff: Don’t sleep on Miami’s WR duo of Brian Hartline and Davone Bess. The pair are vying to become the first Dolphins teammates to each have 1,000 receiving yards in the same season since Mark Duper and Mark Clayton in 1991. Hartline has 60 catches for 891 yards and a touchdown this season while Bess has 56 catches for 728 yards with a score.
Stat you should know: 5. Career touchdowns in four games against the 49ers for Miami RB Reggie Bush. In his career against San Francisco, the former New Orleans Saints standout has rushed for 136 yards with three touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 217 yards with two touchdowns.
Looking ahead: The Dolphins return to South Beach for games against lowly Jacksonville and struggling Buffalo before traveling to New England to conclude the regular season. Both home games are very winnable and the Patriots could be in a position to rest the majority of their starters with a playoff seed already decided entering Week 17. A 3-0 finish is realistic and an upset of the 49ers could be the catalyst for an unlikely playoff push. Miami would also need Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to stumble, but any dreams of the postseason begin on the West Coast this weekend.
Prediction: 49ers 27, Dolphins 13
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Miami Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSDolphins
