Sunday, Dec. 17 4:15pm ET
Miami misses second chance at berth
 
  RECAP | 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
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."

TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN
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.

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.
 


ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard

Indianapolis Clubhouse

Miami Clubhouse


Clayton: Indy learning to earn playoff berth

Colts' defense steps up at right time


AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 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