MIAMI (AP) -- For the first time in weeks, the Miami Dolphins found something to celebrate.

	Dan Marino failed to get the Dolphins into the end zone.

San Diego's John Carney missed a 36-yard field-goal attempt with five seconds remaining when the kick hit the left upright, and the Dolphins broke a three-game losing streak by beating the Chargers 12-9 on Sunday.

"We needed this, no doubt," defensive end Trace Armstrong said. "It's good to feel good about playing football again."

Thanks to stout defense and a record-tying performance by kicker Olindo Mare, the Dolphins (9-5) overcame another poor offensive effort and bolstered their wild-card hopes.

The victory capped a tumultuous week that included the arrest of rookie running back Cecil Collins on burglary charges and the departure of troubled rookie defensive end Dimitrius Underwood, who was released.

"It was like a soap opera," middle linebacker Zach Thomas said. "You can get caught up in the distractions, and they can bring down the whole organization. It's great to get this win."

The loss by the Chargers (6-8), combined with Buffalo's 31-21 victory over Arizona, eliminated San Diego from playoff contention.

"The postseason talk is out now," linebacker Junior Seau said. "We're so disappointed."

GAME NOTES

The Chargers secondary, already decimated by injuries, lost cornerback Jimmy Spencer to a broken right forearm in the third quarter. Miami cornerback Patrick Surtain suffered a concussion in the first half. Chargers safety Rodney Harrison returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a bruised shoulder. Center Tim Ruddy is the only Miami offensive player to start every game. Olindo Mare increased his season point total to 133, breaking Stoyanovich's team record of 124 set in 1992. Fashion statement: Chargers backup quarterback Ryan Leaf, watching from the sideline on a warm afternoon, used scissors to cut the legs off his sweat pants during the first half, transforming them into shorts. The game was a sellout, but there were at least 15,000 empty seats.

Mare made the difference, hitting all four field-goal attempts and increasing his season total to 37, which matches the NFL record set by John Kasay of Carolina in 1996.

Mare scored from 32, 21, 30 and 31 yards. His final kick put the Dolphins ahead with 3:22 left after they recovered Jim Harbaugh's fumble at the San Diego 20.

With no timeouts left, the Chargers drove 62 yards in the final minutes, then sent Carney onto the field with 10 seconds remaining.

"I was on the bench drinking my Gatorade trying to decide whether to call heads or tails when overtime starts," Seau said.

Carney had been 3-for-3 previously, scoring from 23, 22 and 31 yards. But a swirling wind caught his final kick and pushed it left, ending his streak of 13 consecutive field goals without a miss.

"I didn't hit it as well as I could have," he said. "If I drive it a little better, you don't have to worry about it."

Last week, Carney kicked four field goals in a 19-16 victory in Seattle -- a game in which the Seahawks' Todd Peterson hit the left upright from 38 yards out with 1:10 left.

The Dolphins made Dan Marino a winner for the first time since his return from a neck injury a month ago. He went 22-for-36 for 241 yards and had one turnover, a fourth-quarter fumble at his own 4. The defense then forced a field goal, and the Chargers led only 9-6.

"That could have been our season right there if they get in the end zone," Thomas said.

Miami's defense allowed just 26 yards rushing and sacked Harbaugh five times.

"They basically won the game for us," Marino said.

Both teams were plagued with poor field position. The Dolphins, repeatedly pinned deep by punter Darren Bennett, started series at their 7-, 8-, 9- and 7-yard lines. San Diego's first six possessions began inside the 25.

The Chargers took their only lead after forcing a fumble by Marino, who had his arm cocked when John Parrella slapped the ball away, and Raylee Johnson recovered. Carney then kicked a 31-yard field goal to give the Chargers their only lead.

After Mare tied the score, the Dolphins forced the Chargers' only turnover on the next play. Harbaugh fumbled when sacked by Rich Owens, Brock Marion recovered and Mare put Miami ahead for good.

"It got scary there at the end," Miami coach Jimmy Johnson said. "Even though we're not playing as well as we're capable of, at least we got back to winning."