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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MIAMI (AP) -- Jimmy Johnson emerged from the Miami Dolphins'
locker room wearing a grim expression, because what he had just
watched was all too familiar.
The Indianapolis Colts averted elimination from the playoff race
Sunday and left Miami on the brink of another late-season collapse.
NFL rushing leader Edgerrin James ran for 112 yards, Peyton Manning
threw for 206 and Indianapolis took advantage of a rare fast start
Sunday to beat Miami 20-13.
|  | | Edgerrin James and the Colts avoided playoff elimination for the second consecutive week. |
For the second week in a row, the AFC East-leading Dolphins
(10-5) missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth. They've lost
back-to-back games for the first time this season, but the late
fade is nothing new. In the past five seasons Miami is 39-21
through November and 9-15 from Dec. 1 on.
Johnson, who coached most of those games, was in attendance
Sunday for the first time since he retired in January. He declined
to speak with reporters, but coach Dave Wannstedt said history has
no bearing on this season.
"We will rally," Wannstedt said. "We will hang together and
bounce back."
The Dolphins can still clinch a playoff berth if they win Sunday
at New England.
"Every game in December is a playoff game," defensive end
Jason Taylor said. "Guys need to realize that. If not, then they
need to stay at home instead of going to New England."
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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Question on the Colts: Did the maligned Colts' defense vindicate
itself?
Donahoe: For most of the season, there's no question that the Colts'
defense has been maligned and criticized. Most people thought that the Colts
are a flawed football team because of their defensive liabilities. But the
last couple of weeks, the defense has taken some positive steps. They've
created more turnovers and put more pressure on the quarterback. If this
defense can continue to play in this vein, with the offensive firepower the
Colts have, they will be tough to beat. What was impressive about this
Colts' win is that it came in Miami against a team that beat them earlier in
Indianapolis -- and it was a total team effort.
Question on the Dolphins: What is the Dolphins' biggest problem on
offense?
Donahoe: It may be the lack of playmakers in the passing game.
Running back Lamar
Smith has given the Dolphins the type of running game they have been
searching for in recent years. Smith is a bruising runner who has done a
good job this season of getting yards after contact. With the injury to Jay
Fiedler this week, he may not have been 100 percent in today's game.
With the injuries the Dolphins have suffered this season to wide receivers
Lamar
Thomas and O.J.McDuffie -- and most recently the surgery of Leslie
Shepherd -- it has been difficult to develop the consistency and rhythm
you need in a passing game. Still, the Dolphins are in first place in the
AFC East -- and if they win next week in New England, they will be the
division champs.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director
of football operations.
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The Colts (9-6), trying to salvage a disappointing season,
staved off elimination for the second game in a row.
"Two weeks ago it wasn't looking too good, and a lot of people
were counting us out," coach Jim Mora said. "We don't push the
panic button."
Just before the game, an emotional Mora told his players that
the New York Jets had lost to Detroit, helping the Colts' playoff
chances.
"It was a good old Knute Rockne, Bear Bryant speech,"
linebacker Cornelius Bennett said.
The Colts will make the playoffs if they beat Minnesota and the
Jets lose at Baltimore in season finales. The Colts will win their
second consecutive AFC East title if they beat Minnesota while the
Jets and Dolphins lose.
"Now at least there's hope," Manning said. "All I know is
we've got to beat Minnesota."
Indianapolis, shut out in the first half of its past three road
games, raced to a 17-3 halftime lead. Miami defensive tackle Daryl
Gardener spoke optimistically last week of a shutout, but it lasted
barely three minutes against the Colts.
"I have to eat those words and tip my hat to them," Gardener
said.
Manning benefited from excellent protection and went 21-for-28.
He threw mostly short but went deep for a 50-yard touchdown to
Marcus Pollard on Indy's first possession. Manning also scored on a
4-yard keeper.
On the final play of the first half, Mike Vanderjagt kicked a
48-yard field goal, his longest of the year, and he added a
31-yarder in the third quarter.
The Dolphins closed to 20-13 on Olindo Mare's 31-yard field goal
with 3:25 left, then forced a punt a minute later. But Jay
Fiedler's third-down pass was intercepted by Jeff Burris, and when
the Dolphins got the ball back in the final seconds, time ran out
with the ball at their 40.
Fiedler, playing despite a torn rotator cuff in his left
(non-throwing) shoulder, finished 12-for-25 for 150 yards. He said
he was unaffected by the injury on most passes but handed off with
his right hand, even on plays to the right.
"We knew Fiedler was nicked up," Bennett said. "We wanted to
keep pressure on him and force him to make some bad throws."
Miami's defense held on the Colts' first series, but on the
punt, Sam Madison was flagged for a rare penalty: trying to induce
illegal procedure. The infraction gave the Colts a first down, and
on the next play Manning hit Pollard deep for a 7-0 lead.
It was the longest play against Miami this season.
"We made a commitment to get something early," Pollard said.
"It's something we've been struggling with."
Now the Colts are on a roll, while the Dolphins again stagger as
the postseason approaches.
"It shouldn't have to come down to New England," Gardener
said. "But we still have a chance."
Game notes
Colts linebacker Dwight Hollier injured his left shoulder
in the third quarter and did not return. ... For the Dolphins,
fullback Rob Konrad strained his left hip, receiver Bert Emanuel
hurt his ribs and linebacker Larry Izzo suffered a stinger. ...
Manning became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record
consecutive 4,000-yard passing seasons. ... The Colts have won two
in a row in Miami for the first time since 1987-88. ... Mare has
made 15 consecutive field goal attempts and is 26-for-27 this year.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Indianapolis Clubhouse
Miami Clubhouse
Clayton: Indy learning to earn playoff berth
Colts' defense steps up at right time
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Dave Wannstedt hopes the Dolphins can move on after Sunday's loss to the Colts.
wav: 172 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Jason Taylor knows the Dolphins have had their chances the past couple of weeks.
wav: 138 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Jim Mora and the Colts were able to put together two big wins in a row.
wav: 109 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Peyton Manning and the Colts were rooting against the Jets on Sunday.
wav: 167 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Peyton Manning Official Site
Edgerrin James Official Site
Marvin Harrison Official Site
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