Niners Grind Out Victory Over Dolphins

December 9, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs for a 50 yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Dolphins 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers didn’t play exactly their best game of the season by any means, but a win is a win.

Colin Kaepernick was 18/23 for 185 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Frank Gore had a couple of milestones, eclipsing the 1000-yard mark for the sixth time in his career, and also tied Roger Craig and Joe Perry with his 50th rushing touchdown. Also, Aldon Smith set the 49ers’ single-season sack record with 18.5, breaking the mark set by Hall of Famer Fred Dean.

However, despite the accolades, both teams were stagnant in the first half. The first quarter was scoreless, consisting of punts and incompletions. The pace picked up a bit in the second quarter, with both teams exchanging field goals in the early going. Akers then finished off the half with another field goal to give the 49ers a 6-3 lead at the break.

The 49ers caught a huge break in the third quarter, when Marcus Thigpen muffed a punt at his own nine-yard line that was recovered by San Francisco. Anthony Dixon carried it eight yards to the one-yard line, and Gore pounded it in to put his name in the record books and give the 49ers a 13-3 lead.

A field goal for Miami made it 13-6 before the Niners went on their best drive of the game. Kaepernick completed passes to Michael Crabtree and used Gore extensively, who responded with a solid 19-yard run late in the drive down to the one-yard line of the Dolphins. From there, Dixon carried it in for the touchdown.

The Dolphins came right back on a 75-yard drive of their own, finished off with a beautiful diving catch by Anthony Fasano in the left corner of the end zone on 4th and 3 to cut the lead to 20-13.

After both teams stalled on their next drives, Kaepernick took matters into his own hands. On a 3rd and 5 play at midfield, Kaepernick faked the handoff to Gore and took off, sprinting untouched into the end zone to extend the Niners’ lead.

Miami failed to score on their next possession, and all the Niners had to do was take a few kneeldowns to take the win over the Dolphins by the score of 27-13

Both of the 49ers’ top draft picks A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James saw action today. James finished with 30 yards on eight carries, while Jenkins saw limited action at wide receiver.