Miami Dolphins Close Out Division With Huge Victory

The Miami Dolphins have no more division games left on their schedule as they move to the final 4 games of the season.  And they close out their division schedule with a huge win against the New England Patriots.  The win puts the Dolphins one game behind the division leading Pats and right back into the playoff hunt with a mere 4 weeks to go.

The Patriots looked to make it an ugly game early on when they took a 14 point lead on the host Phins.  The Phins would play catch-up most of the day but key defensive stops and the arm of Chad Henne finally caught up to the Patriots and kept the Dolphins in the game until the final minute of the game when they finally took the lead.

Chad Henne was superb in coming from behind although he threw two bad passes that were sure fire TD’s.  He missed short to Greg Camarillo who was alone in the endzone in the early 4th quarter and then on the teams final drive missed Lex Hilliard when the ball sailed on him.  Hilliard was wide open with only one Patriot between him and a touchdown.  Henne would rebound on the next play throwing a 10 yard comeback route to Brian Hartline for the critical first down that would lead to the teams winning FG.

Ted Ginn who is more famously known for dropping passes finally caught a crucial first down on 4th and 10 for a first that extended the teams winning drive.  While the offense used an aerial attack most of the game and the running game took a backseat to the arm of Henne, it was the Dolphins defense that found a way to step up and seal the deal.

Midway through the 4th period the Patriots looked to take over the game for good when they had the ball 1st and goal at the Miami 8.  Two plays later and rookie CB Vontae’ Davis picked off a pass intended for Randy Moss in the endzone.  The Phins would go 3 and out on the ensuing series but the defenses momentum shut the Pats down and forced a punt.

The Dolphins D also stepped up on two critical 4th down attempts by the Patriots and held the team out of the endzone in the 4th quarter something they have not been able to do all year.  The Dolphins find themselves one game out of the Wild Card picture with the Jacksonville Jaguars on deck next and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week.  If the Phins win out they are in as a WC team.  The road however won’t be easy.