49ers score TDs on 1st 5 drives to beat the Dolphins 35-13 in season home opener

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Christian McCaffrey became the fourth-fastest player in the Super Bowl era with 100 career touchdowns, Brock Purdy played a near-perfect game and the San Francisco 49ers overwhelmed the Miami Dolphins 35-13 on Sunday.

The 49ers (2-0) showed no signs of fatigue after beating the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in the opener in Australia and began the season with back-to-back wins of at least 20 points for the first time in franchise history.

They scored touchdowns on their first five drives and dominated the Dolphins (0-2), who spent the week since losing the opener in Las Vegas by practicing in nearby Napa.

Avoiding the travel was little help to an overmatched Miami team that came into the season with a record of more than $180 million in dead money on the salary cap.

Purdy went 20 for 22 for 287 yards, two touchdown passes and one TD run, completing 18 straight passes at one point. He connected on a 12-yard touchdown pass to George Kittle and a 6-yarder to Kyle Juszczyk on the first two drives of the third quarter to break the game open.

McCaffrey scored on a pair of 1-yard runs to give him 100 touchdowns in 114 games, with only LaDainian Tomlinson (89 games), Emmitt Smith (93) and Shaun Alexander (96) getting their faster in the Super Bowl era.

Malik Willis went 14 for 23 for 197 yards for Miami but took four sacks and was unable to lead a touchdown drive until his 77-yard pass to Ryan Miller with 2:30 remaining in the game.

Both defenses struggled to get off the field in the first half with the main difference being the Niners finished off their drives with touchdowns. Riley Patterson missed a 51-yard field goal on Miami's opening drive and the Dolphins settled for two field goals in the red zone on their other two possessions in the first half.

San Francisco got in the end zone with McCaffrey scoring on a 1-yard run and Purdy on a 2-yard run on the two drives for the 49ers, who led 14-6 at the half.

49ers Faithful celebrate big home opener victory over Miami

Football is back in the Bay Area, and the Faithful had plenty to cheer about Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers opened their home schedule with a convincing 35-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium.

Hours before kickoff, thousands of fans packed the stadium parking lots, firing up grills, cracking open drinks and celebrating the return of football in classic Niners fashion.

"We got some beers, we got burgers, going to enjoy the game and watch the win," said San Francisco resident and longtime fan Sundeep Ambati.

Ambati is among the many fans who believe this year's team has championship potential.

"This is going to be our Super Bowl year. The 49ers are going to win," he said confidently.

For many supporters, attending the home opener is an annual tradition. Vivian Britton-Jackson, her husband Paul and cousin Darryl Nichols made the trip from Rancho Cordova to continue a tradition that spans two decades.

"We traveled all the way from Rancho Cordova to be here," Britton-Jackson said.

The family has been season ticket holders for 20 years and remains optimistic about the team's prospects.

"I think we have a winning team this year. Looking forward to seeing how far we go," Britton-Jackson said.

Nichols shared that excitement as fans prepared to watch the team's first regular-season game at Levi's Stadium this year.

"I'm feeling excited about this first game. We got one over in Australia, so now we're going to get one here at home to start the season off right," Nichols said.

Among those celebrating was Todd Horvath, who traveled to Australia last week to attend the 49ers' season-opening win over the Los Angeles Rams.

"You know, the Faithful are ready to rock for win number two," Horvath said before kickoff.

Not everyone in attendance was cheering for the home team. A handful of Dolphins fans proudly wore Miami colors, creating some lighthearted rivalries among friends and fellow tailgaters.

"Right now, Niners-Dolphins, that's it, baby," joked friends Paul and Lloyd as they prepared to head into the stadium.

The friendly banter continued throughout the afternoon, including playful reactions from 49ers fans who spotted a Dolphins supporter dressed in a dolphin costume.

When the game got underway, the home crowd got exactly what it came to see.

The 49ers controlled the action and cruised to a 35-13 win over Miami, improving to 2-0 on the young season and sending the Faithful home happy after a successful home opener.

As fans streamed out of Levi's Stadium following the final whistle, one thing was clear: optimism is running high in the Bay Area as the 49ers begin another quest for a championship.

Injuries

Dolphins: RB Jaylen Wright (stinger) left in the first half. ... WR Caleb Douglas (ankle) left in the second half.

49ers: WR Demarcus Robinson (right ankle) left the game in the second quarter and didn't return. ... WR Mike Evans left in the second half with a hip injury. ... DT James Thompson Jr. (ankle) also left the game.

Up next

Dolphins: Host Kansas City on Sunday.

49ers: Host Arizona on Sunday.

ABC7's Cornell Barnard contributed to this report.