Miami Dolphins Regular Season Review

The Dolphins (11-5) Finished the Regular Season as an AFC East Champs

The Miami Dolphins finished the 2008 NFL regular season winning nine of their last 10 games to win the AFC East division title and enter the NFL playoffs as the AFC's number 3 seed.

By virtue of their victory over the Jets at the Meadowlands on the last Sunday of the season, the Dolphins captured the 13th division title in their franchise history and complete a dramatic turnaround from last season when the Dolphins finished 1-15.

As was the case in eight of the wins that came in this stretch run, the Dolphins margin of victory was seven or less.

Their only exception over this time was a 16-3 victory over Buffalo back on December 7 in Toronto.

While many players shared the honors as difference-makers on offense on a week-to-week basis, it was quarterback Chad Pennington that was a constant.

Pennington put an exclamation point on one of his finest pro seasons by surpassing the 100.0 mark for passer rating for the fourth game in a row in the finale against the Jets. He set a Dolphins single season mark in that category with a 97.4 clip. Pennington guided an offense that equaled the NFL single-season record for fewest turnovers with 13. His proficiency did not end there, as the veteran quarterback finished the season with a career-high 3,653 passing yards and an NFL-best 67.4 completion percentage.

Pennington earned AFC Player of the Week honors for his effort against the Jets.

With the Dolphins' playoff hopes riding on a win against the Jets, Pennington completed 22 of 30 passes (73.3 percent) for 200 yards with two touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 113.2 passer rating in a 24-17 win. Pennington helped Miami clinch its 13th AFC East title and first since 2000 with the victory. On Miami's two touchdown drives, Pennington completed 10 of 11 passes for 139 yards. His 113.2 passer rating for the game marked the fourth consecutive week and eighth time this season that he posted a rating of 100.0 or more. Pennington recorded a 70.0-plus (73.3) completion percentage for the second consecutive week and the eighth time this season.

In his ninth season from Marshall, this is Pennington's sixth AFC Offensive Player of the Week Award and second this season. He most recently won the award in Week 8. He is the first Dolphins quarterback since DAN MARINO in 1999 to win the award twice in a season.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback also won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award on Wednesday (12/31/2008), the second time in three years Pennington has received the honor. He also earned it in 2006 while with the New York Jets.

For the Dolphins contribtuions came primarily from positions and not neccessarily individuals. Case in point, the backfield tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams tallied nearly 1,600 yards. The tight end position posted more than 900 yards, the most-ever by that group in Dolphins history while their combined 11 touchdowns tied for the most in Dolphins history. The offensive line, which claims one of the youngest starting units in the league, allowed a total of only 26 sacks.

Defensively, Joey Porter's 17.5 sacks were critical in the success of the defense in 2008. Others also had a hand, most notably cornerback André Goodman, who collected a pair of interceptions against the Jets, giving him a team-high five for the season, a career best and also the most by a Dolphin since 2003. Safety Yeremiah Bell and linebacker Channing Crowder both surpassed the 100-tackle mark.

Miami Dolphins (11-5) NFL 2008 Regular Season

 

NFL 2008 Game 1: New York Jets 20, Miami Dolphins 14

The Jets held off a late Dolphins rally to record their fifth straight win in this series and their eighth in the last nine meetings in a 20-14 decision last Sunday at Dolphin Stadium. The Jets struck first, 6:18 into the game, when Brett Favre connected with Jerricho Cotchery for a 56-yard TD pass.

The Jets had an opportunity to go up by ten points on their next possession, but Mike Nugent's 32-yard field goal attempt went wide right. The Dolphins equaled the count 2:19 into the second quarter when Chad Pennington's 5-yard TD pass on third-and-goal capped an 11-play, 78-yard drive. Including the touchdown, Pennington completed five of six passes, totaling 61 yards. This included a 24-yard strike to David Martin three plays prior to the score.

The Jets re-gained the lead on the next series, with 6:52 to remaining in the first half, on a 22-yard pass from Favre to Chansi Stuckey on fourth down, as Favre eluded the Dolphins' pass rush and threw it up for grabs into the end zone. The Jets were forced into going for it on fourth down when Nugent injured his thigh on the missed field goal. The pass attempt for the two-point conversion was off the mark. The Jets started the drive at their own 40 after the previous kickoff went out of bounds. The Jets made it to the Dolphins' 24 on the first series of the second half, before Matt Roth stripped Favre of the ball and Akin Ayodele recovered at the Dolphins' 11.

The Jets took a 13-point lead with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter on a 6-yard run by Thomas Jones, culminating a nine-play, 69-yard drive in which the Jets converted on a pair of third downs, including a 15-yard completion from Favre to Stuckey on third-and-5 two plays prior to the score, putting the Jets at the Dolphins' 11. The Jets were also aided by a 24-yard pass interference penalty on the Dolphins, putting them at the Dolphins' 31.

The Dolphins made it to the Jets' 2 with just more than nine minutes to play in the game, but consecutive passes on third and fourth down were off the mark. The Dolphins came back on their next possession and proceeded 53 yards in eight plays, ending with an 11-yard TD pass from Pennington to David Martin. Pennington hit on six of seven passes, totaling 60 yards on the drive. After the Dolphins' defense forced the Jets into a three-and-out, the Dolphins got the ball back at their own 39 with 1:43 remaining in the contest and one timeout. They moved 43 yards where they had a first-and-10 at the Jets' 18 with 23 seconds to play, before three straight pass attempts were off the mark, including an interception by Darrelle Revis in the end zone on third down.

NFL 2008 Game 2: Arizona Cardinals 31, Miami Dolphins 10

Arizona won for the second straight time in this series, as the Dolphins allowed two pass plays of 75 yards or longer in the same game for the first time in franchise history in a 31-10 Cardinals win at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Cardinals broke out to a 7-0 lead on their first offensive play of the game when Kurt Warner connected with Anquan Boldin in stride for a 79-yard touchdown. Arizona doubled its advantage on its next possession when Warner and Boldin hooked up once again, this time from three yards out, a score which occurred three plays after Warner hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 75-yard completion to the Dolphins' 4. The Cardinals scored for the third time in as many possessions when Neil Rackers converted a 45-yard field goal, 6:14 into the second quarter, capping an 11-play, 60-yard drive that used 6:42 of the clock.

The Cardinals took a commanding 24-point lead on the opening series of the second half when they traveled 71 yards in 10 plays, ending with a 1-yard TD run by Tim Hightower, four plays after a Dolphins' pass interference penalty in the end zone moved Arizona from the Dolphins' 17 to the 1-yard line. The Dolphins sacked Warner on the play prior to the touchdown run, on third-and-goal from the 1, but a facemask penalty provided the Cardinals with a first down.

The Dolphins answered with an 11-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a Dan Carpenter 32-yard field goal, with 5:26 remaining in the third quarter. The key play was a 20-yard completion from Chad Pennington to Derek Hagan on third-and-5, putting the Dolphins at the Cardinals' 25. Arizona answered with an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard scoring pass from Warner to Boldin. The key play was a 31-yard hookup from Warner to Fitzgerald to the Dolphins' 31.

Miami mustered its lone touchdown of the day on Ronnie Brown's 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal, capping an 18-play, 89 yard drive in which quarterback Chad Henne came off the bench to complete seven of 12 passes for 67 yards.

Warner finished the game by completing 19 of 24 for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Boldin hauled in six passes for 140 yards and three scores, while Fitzgerald accounted for six receptions for 153 yards.

NFL 2008 Game 3: Miami Dolphins 38, New England Patriots 13

The Dolphins snapped an 11-game road losing streak while also recording their first divisional victory since 2006 in a 38-13 decision over the Patriots last Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots had a first-and-goal from the 7-yard line midway through the first quarter, but a pair of sacks, followed by a Randy Starks interception on third down thwarted the threat. From there, the Dolphins embarked on a an eight-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard scoring run by Ronnie Brown, who took the direct snap from center. On the drive, Chad Pennington completed three of his four pass attempts, including a pair of passes to Anthony Fasano, totaling 47 yards.

The Patriots responded with a 13-play, 56-yard drive that used 5:58 of the clock and ended with a Stephen Gostkowski 37-yard field goal. The key play on the drive was a 12--yard completion from Matt Cassel to Jabar Gaffney on fourth-and-2 from the Dolphins' 37. Miami answered with a six-play, 79-yard drive that culminated with a 15-yard TD run by Brown, as Pennington connected on all four of his passes, totaling 62 yards, en route to the score.

New England came back with an eight-play, 40-yard drive that resulted in a 44-yard field goal by Gostkowski, with 4:54 remaining in the opening half. The Dolphins scored their third touchdown in as many series when Brown again took a direct snap and ran it in from five yards out, capping a nine-play, 77-yard drive. The key play was a 28-yard run by Ricky Williams three plays prior to the score, putting the Dolphins at the Patriots' 17.

The Dolphins increased their lead to 22 points with 5:46 to play in the third quarter when Brown once again took a direct snap from center, and this time tossing a 19-yard strike to Fasano in the end zone, on third-and-3. Ellis Hobbs returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards to the Dolphins' 23, leading to a 5-yard TD pass from Cassel to Gaffney seven plays afterwards, on fourth-and-3.

It didn't take long for the Dolphins to regain their 22-point advantage, something they did on the first play of the fourth quarter when Brown handled a direct snap, this time taking it 62 yards for a score. The Dolphins concluded the scoring with 6:08 remaining in the contest on Dan Carpenter's 39-yard field goal. All 41 yards on the drive came on seven rushing attempts by Williams.

Brown finished the game with 113 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 17 attempts. As a team, the Dolphins amassed 465 total net yards, 216 of which came via the ground. Pennington was 17 of 20 for 226 yards.

NFL 2008 Game 4: Miami Dolphins 17, San Diego Chargers 10

The Dolphins defeated San Diego for the seventh straight time in the regular season by a 17-10 decision at home.

The Chargers took the ball on the opening series of the game and marched 61 yards in 14 plays, ending with a 34-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding, as San Diego converted a pair of third downs en route to the score. The Dolphins answered with a nine play, 44-yard drive that ended with a 47-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. The key play was a 16-yard completion from Chad Pennington to Anthony Fasano on third-and-1, putting the Dolphins at the Chargers' 48.

The Dolphins took their first lead of the game with 5:25 remaining in the opening half on a 17-yard TD pass from Pennington to Greg Camarillo, culminating a nine-play, 65-yard drive. The score occurred two plays after Ronnie Brown gained three yards on a fourth-and-1 from the Chargers' 22. The Dolphins scored their second touchdown in as many series when Brown took a direct snap from center and scampered five yards for a score, 41 seconds prior to the half. The touchdown ended an 11-play, 79-yard drive in which Brown rushed for 23 yards on three carries. The key play was a 25-yard completion from Pennington to David Martin, putting the Dolphins at the Chargers' 20.

The Chargers accounted for their first touchdown of the day with 3:13 to play in the third quarter on a 17-yard TD pass from Philip Rivers to Chris Chambers, two plays after Rivers and Vincent Jackson combined for a 42-yard hookup to the Dolphins' 15 on a third-and-10. Davone Bess fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Jacob Hester recovered at the Dolphins' 25. San Diego then traveled 24 yards before the Dolphins' defense stopped LaDainian Tomlinson on fourth-and-goal from the 1 on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Although the Dolphins were not able to score in the final period, they held the ball for 11:51 as they amassed 99 yards in the quarter, while they allowed just two first downs on the Chargers' two fourth-quarter possessions.

Brown finished the game with 125 yards rushing a TD on 24 attempts. Pennington completed 22 of 29 passes for 228 yards and a TD.

NFL 2008 Game 5: Houston Texans 29, Miami Dolphins 28

The Houston Texans won for the fourth straight time in the all-time season series, with all four outcomes having been decided by three points or less, as a result of their 29-28 victory last Sunday at Houston.

The Dolphins struck first with 6:08 to play in the first quarter on a 53-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to Patrick Cobbs, two plays after André Goodman intercepted a Matt Schaub pass at the Dolphins' 45. On the touchdown, Ronnie Brown took the direct snap who then handed it to Ricky Williams who in turn pitched it to Pennington before spotting a wide open Cobbs. The Texans answered with a 10-play, 61-yard drive that used 5:06 of the clock and ended with a 27-yard field goal by Kris Brown. Schaub and Owen Daniels hooked up twice for 42 yards en route to the score, including a 30-yarder on the first play of the drive to put the Texans in Dolphins territory.

The Dolphins opened up an 11-point advantage 3:23 into the second quarter when Pennington hit Cobbs on a screen pass and Cobbs found an opening and raced 80 yards for a touchdown. André Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Dolphins' 42, leading to a 33-yard field goal by Brown six plays afterward.

The Texans accounted for their first touchdown of the game with 5:24 remaining in the first half on a 70-yard punt return by Jacoby Jones. The Texans took their initial lead of the game 5:00 into the second half when Schaub and Andre Johnson combined for a 12-yard TD pass, two plays after the two connected for a 61-yard completion to the Dolphins' 13. The Dolphins answered with a six play, 73-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard TD run by Ricky Williams. The key play on the drive was a 33--yard completion from Pennington to Greg Camarillo, putting the Dolphins at the Texans' 40, as Pennington completed all four of his attempts on the drive, totaling 59 yards. The Texans had a chance to regain their advantage with less than a minute to play in the third quarter, but following a 17-yard reception by Johnson to the Dolphins' 7, he fumbled the ball into the end zone, where Yeremiah Bell recovered.

Houston captured a two-point lead with 6:04 remaining in the contest on a 42-yard field goal by Brown, five plays after Schaub hit Kevin Walter with a 30-yard pass to the Dolphins' 40. The Dolphins responded with a five-play, 73-yard drive that ended with a 6-yard TD run by Ronnie Brown.

Five plays prior to the score, Eugene Wilson intercepted a Pennington pass and returned it 19 yards to the Dolphins' 27 before fumbling the ball, which was recovered by Justin Smiley. Three plays after that, Pennington found Brown for a 39-yard completion to the Texans' 12. The Texans took over at their own 24 with 1:40 to play and all three timeouts. They proceeded to travel the length of the field in 12 plays, ending with a 3-yard TD run by Schaub on fourth-and-2, with three seconds remaining. That was the second fourth down converted by Houston on the drive. Johnson plucked a Schaub pass out of the air for a 23-yard gain on fourth-and-10 from the Texans' 26. Two plays after that, Schaub and Walter combined for a 30-yard completion to the Dolphins' 11.

NFL 2008 Game 6: Baltimore Ravens 27, Miami Dolphins 3

The Ravens won for the first time in five tries during the regular season in Miami as a result of their 27-13 victory over the Dolphins.

The Dolphins took the ball on the opening series of the game and marched 54 yards in 11 plays, ending with a 21-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. A 17-yard pass from Chad Pennington to Patrick Cobbs put the Dolphins in field goal range at the Ravens' 15. The Ravens responded with a 12-play, 42-yard drive that culminated with a 47-yard field goal by Matt Stover. A 6-yard run by Joe Flacco on fourth-and-2 from the Dolphins' 34 kept the drive alive.

The game's first touchdown came via defense when Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs picked off a Pennington pass and raced 44 yards for a touchdown, 6:16 into the second quarter. The Dolphins answered with an eight-play, 56-yard drive that ended with a 26-yard field goal by Carpenter, four plays after Pennington picked up five yards on a third-and-2, followed by an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Ravens, putting the Dolphins at the Ravens' 11.

Baltimore accounted for the first offensive touchdown of the game 30 seconds prior to the half when Flacco connected with Derrick Mason for an 11-yard TD. Including the score, Flacco completed six of eight passes, totaling 68 yards on the drive.

The Ravens took the ball on the initial series of the second half and traveled 67 yards in 13 plays, ending with a 28-yard field goal by Stover. Of Baltimore's yardage total on the drive, 50 came via the ground, including 36 on four attempts by Willis McGahee. The Dolphins came right back, 3:36 later, for their first touchdown of the afternoon on a 7-yard strike from Pennington to Davone Bess on third-and-5, capping a six-play, 74-yard drive in which Pennington completed all five of his pass attempts, totaling 77 yards.

The Ravens regained their 14-point advantage with 6:28 to play in the contest on a 5-yard run by McGahee, capping a nine-play, 68-yard drive. The key play was a 23-yard completion from Flacco to Mason on third-and-10, putting the Ravens at the Dolphins' 22, three plays prior to the score. The Dolphins got as far as the Ravens' 19 on the ensuing series, but Pennington's pass attempt on fourth down was off the mark. Baltimore got the ball back with 4:37 to play and was able to run out all but the final 1:01 of the contest.

The Ravens racked up 357 yards of total offense, as McGahee rushed for 105 yards and a TD on 19 attempts. Flacco finished with a passer rating of 120.2 as he completed 17 of 23 passes for 232 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. For the Dolphins, Pennington threw for 295 yards on 24 of 35 passing with a TD and an INT. Joey Porter produced a pair of sacks.

NFL 2008 Game 7: Miami Dolphins 25, Buffalo Bills 16

The Dolphins snapped the Bills' four-game winning streak in this series with a 25-16 victory at home. The Dolphins took the ball on the opening series of the game and marched 80 yards in nine plays, ending with a 2-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to Anthony Fasano on third-and-1. On the first play of the drive, Pennington connected with Ted Ginn for a 46-yard completion to the Bills' 34.

Buffalo bounced back with a nine play, 62-yard drive that saw them make it to the Dolphins' 1 before being stopped shy of the goal line on third down, and having to settle for a Rian Lindell 19-yard field goal. The Bills got to within one point of the lead 6:41 into the second quarter on a 43-yard field goal by Lindell, nine plays after Keith Ellison recovered a Ricky Williams fumble at the Bills' 29. The Bills faced a third-and-12 from their own 45 before a pair of Dolphins penalties, totaling 20 yards, gave them a first down at the Dolphins' 30.

The Dolphins had a chance to go back up by four points with 1:38 remaining in the first half, but Langston Walker blocked a Dan Carpenter 46-yard field goal attempt. From there, the Bills marched 35 yards in eight plays, ending with a 47-yard field goal by Lindell as time expired in the first half.

The Bills scored their first touchdown of the game on the opening possession of the second half when they put together an eight-play, 70-yard drive that culminated with an 8-yard TD run by Marshawn Lynch. Lynch accounted for more than half the yardage total on the drive with 24 rushing yards on three carries and one reception for 12 yards. The Dolphins responded with a five-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 43-yard field goal by Carpenter. The key play came on the drive's opening play with a 64-yard catch by Ginn, putting the Dolphins at the Bills' 16.

The Dolphins regained their lead with 1:15 left in the third quarter on a 3-yard TD run by Williams, capping an eight-play, 69-yard drive in which Pennington completed all four of his pass attempts, totaling 50 yards. Three plays later, Will Allen intercepted an Edwards pass and returned it 30 yards to the Bills' 34, leading to a 45-yard field goal by Carpenter four plays afterward.

The Bills were at the Dolphins' 33 on the ensuing series before Joey Porter stripped the ball from Edwards and also recovered. The defense came up big once again on the Bills' next possession when Porter sacked Edwards in the end zone and Charlie Anderson tackled Duke Preston for a safety. The Dolphins got the ball back after the free kick and traveled 41 yards in eight plays, ending with a 35-yard field goal by Carpenter, with 3:53 to play in the game. A 15-yard roughing the passer penalty put the Dolphins at the Bills' 31.

The Dolphins were not done from a defensive standpoint, as they recorded two more turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Channing Crowder and one by Jason Allen, which came on punt coverage.

For the fifth game in a row, the Dolphins surpassed the 350-yard mark in total yardage as they compiled 358 yards. Pennington completed 22 of 30 passes for 314 yards with a TD and no INTs. Ginn caught seven passes for 175. Joey Porter posted two sacks, the third time this year he produced two or more sacks in a game.

NFL 2008 Game 8: Miami Dolphins 26, Denver Broncos 17

The Dolphins went to Denver where they recorded a 26-17 victory over the Broncos. In the process, the Dolphins established a new team record for fewest rushing yards allowed by yielding just 14 as they won back to back games over teams that had sole possession of first place in their respective divisions.

Jason Allen intercepted a Jay Cutler pass on the game's opening series, putting the Dolphins at the Broncos 34. Four plays later, Dan Carpenter came on to convert a 45-yard field goal.

After starting at their own 12 on their next possession, the Dolphins marched 59 yards in 10 plays, ending with a 47-yard field goal by Carpenter. The key play was a 30-yard run by Ronnie Brown on the second play of the series, giving the Dolphins some breathing room at the Dolphins 43. The Dolphins took a 13-point advantage less than a minute later when Will Allen picked off a Cutler pass and raced 32 yards for a touchdown.

Eddie Royal took the ensuing kickoff and went 95 yards to the Dolphins' 5, leading to a 2-yard TD pass from Cutler to Royal three plays later. Carpenter accounted for his third field goal of the afternoon with two seconds remaining in the first half, from 23 yards out, capping a 14-play, 88-yard drive. A 24-yard completion from Chad Pennington to Anthony Fasano put the Dolphins at the Broncos' 28.

The Broncos scored on their first series of the second half on a 50-yard field goal by Matt Prater, as he put the finishing touches on a 12-play, 66-yard drive in which Denver converted a pair of third downs, including a third-and-11 from their own 49, four plays prior to the field goal. The Broncos had a chance to cut their deficit to three points with 2:58 to play in the third quarter, but Prater missed wide left on a 49-yard field goal attempt.

The Dolphins regained their nine-point advantage 3:02 into the fourth quarter on a 41-yard field goal by Carpenter, six plays after Tyrone Culver intercepted a Cutler pass. The Broncos answered 48 seconds later when Cutler connected with Peyton Hillis for a 1-yard TD pass, one play after the Dolphins were flagged for pass interference in the end zone, moving them from the Dolphins' 33.

The Dolphins got the ball back at their own 20 and methodically moved 80 yards down in the field in 15 plays, ending with a 2-yard TD run by Ronnie Brown, with just 3:08 remaining in the game. The drive, which chewed up 8:02 of the clock, saw Pennington complete 7 of 10 passes for 86 yards. The most crucial completion came on a 23-yard strike to Ricky Williams on third-and-13 from the Broncos' 25 on the play preceding the touchdown.

NFL 2008 Game 9: Miami Dolphins 21, Seattle Seahawks 19

The Seattle Seahawks failed on a two-point conversion late in the game and later turned the ball over on downs in the final minute to fall short of the Miami Dolphins, 21-19, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

Visiting the Dolphins for the first time since 2000, Seattle fell behind early 14-0. Miami scored on their first two possesssions of the game behind an 11-play, 90-yard opening drive that resulted in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Chad Pennington to Ted Ginn. On the first play of the second quarter, Ricky Williams took a handoff from Ronnie Brown in the Wildcat formation and ran untouched up the middle 51 yards for a touchdown.

On Miami's next drive however, Seattle's defense began to take shape. Jordan Babineaux intercepted Pennington and returned it 35 yards for a score to pull the Seahawks to 14-7. Seattle's defense would then stop the Dolphins on their next five possessions, including four punts.

Seattle climbed to within 14-13 in the third quarter on two Olindo Mare field goals of 37 and 27 yards. Seattle was poised to take a 17-14 lead, but a dropped pass in the end zone resulted in Mare's second field goal.

Following a Seattle punt to begin the fourth quarter, Miami used 16 plays to drive 79 yards for a Ronnie Brown 16-yard touchdown run. Seattle used good field position following the kickoff to drive 55 yards, including a Julius Jones 33-yard run to the Miami 5-yard line, to set up a Seneca Wallace to Koren Robinson 3-yard touchdown pass. Wallace's pass attempt on the two-point conversion was tipped away.

Seattle kicked off and forced a Dolphins punt, but the Seahawks turned the ball over on downs in the waning seconds of the game.

NFL 2008 Game 10: Miami Dolphins 17, Oakland Raiders 15

The Dolphins won for the seventh time in the last eight tries in the regular season against Oakland as a result of their 17-15 victory at Dolphin Stadium.

On the Dolphins' first series of the game, Ted Ginn took a handoff from Chad Pennington and went around left end for a 40-yard TD run, capping a nine-play, 93-yard drive. The Dolphins appeared as though they were poised for more points when they were at the Raiders' 31 early in the second quarter before Gibril Wilson recovered a Ronnie Brown fumble. The next score was not accounted for until there was 1:09 remaining in the second quarter when Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski converted a 21-yard field goal, culminating an eight-play, 77-yard drive. The Raiders were aided by a 41--yard pass interference penalty, putting them at the Dolphins' 32.

The Raiders made it a two-point game 4:32 into the second half when Jay Richardson sacked Pennington in the end zone. The sack occurred one play after a 58--yard punt by Shane Lechler landed at the Dolphins' 6.

Oakland took the free kick and moved 35 yards before Janikowski's 46-yard field goal attempt bounded off the right upright. Following the miss, the Dolphins took over at their own 36 and marched 64 yards in nine plays, ending with a 10-yard TD run by Patrick Cobbs with 1:57 to play in the third quarter.

Oakland crept to within six points of the lead on a 37-yard field goal by Janikowski with 8:02 remaining in the game, ending a 10-play, 73-yard drive in which JaMarcus Russell threw for 50 yards. The Raiders then took their first lead of the afternoon with 4:30 remaining in the contest on a Johnnie Lee Higgins 93-yard punt return for a touchdown, the longest ever against the Dolphins.

The Dolphins had one final opportunity when they got the ball back at their own 20 with 4:30 to play. They proceeded to march 61 yards in 10 plays, as Dan Carpenter put the finishing touches on the drive with a 38-yard field goal with 38 seconds remaining. Pennington completed four of five passes, totaling 51 yards on the drive, with the most crucial play being a 7-yard completion to Ted Ginn on fourth-and-5 from the Raiders 35.

As a team, the Dolphins rushed for 222 yards, led by Ronnie Brown's 101. The Dolphins racked up six sacks as a team, including 1.5 each by Vonnie Holliday and Joey Porter.

NFL 2008 Game 11: New England Patriots 48, Miami Dolphins 28

The Dolphins and Patriots split their season series for the fourth time in the last five years as New England handed the Dolphins a 48-28 loss last Sunday at home.

The Patriots took the ball on the opening series of the game and moved 48 yards in eight plays, ending with a 30-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski. Matt Cassel completed five of six passes, totaling 56 yards on the drive. The Dolphins put their first points of the day on the board with 5:23 remaining in the first quarter on a 3-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to Greg Camarillo, four plays after Renaldo Hill intercepted a Cassel pass and returned it 17 yards to the Patriots' 42. The key play was a 29-yard completion from Pennington to David Martin on the play immediately following the interception. The Patriots responded with a 12-play, 74-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard TD run by Cassel on the first play of the second quarter. It was a 6-yard run by Cassel on fourth-and-1 from the Dolphins' 43 that gave the Patriots a first down, eight plays prior to the score. The Patriots were at the Dolphins' 28 on their ensuing series before André Goodman recovered a fumble at the Dolphins' 28. From there, the Dolphins marched 72 yards in seven plays, ending with a 7-yard scoring run by Pennington, who hit on his final four attempts on the drive, totaling 51 yards.

New England re-gained the lead six plays later when Cassel connected with Randy Moss for a 25-yard TD pass, capping a 63-yard drive. The Dolphins took the ball on the opening series of the second half and traveled 82 yards in seven plays, ending with a 2-yard TD pass from Pennington to Casey Cramer on third-and-goal, the initial touchdown of Cramer's NFL career. Pennington and Ted Ginn combined for a 46-yard completion to the Patriots' 36 on the first play of the series.

The Patriots answered once again, this time with an 11-play, 78-yard drive, culminating with an 8-yard TD pass from Cassel to Moss. Two plays prior to the score, Cassel and Moss hooked up for a 15-yard completion on third-and-10 from the Dolphins' 39. The Patriots opened a double-digit lead on the final play of the third quarter on a 21-yard TD run by Kevin Faulk, two plays after Cassel hit Wes Welker for a 64-yard catch-and-run.

The Dolphins got back to within three points of the lead 1:49 later when Pennington hit Ricky Williams in stride for a 13-yard TD pass, capping a five-play, 69-yard drive. The score occurred one play after a 36-yard catch-and-run by Davone Bess.

That turned out to be the last Dolphins score on the day, as New England scored the final 17 points of the game, as they accounted for scores on all five of their second half possessions. This included the third touchdown connection between Cassel and Moss, from 29 yards out, 6:08 into the fourth quarter to put the Patriots back up by 10 points.

Cassel finished the game by completing 30 of 43 passes for 415 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Moss had eight receptions for 125 yards and three touchdowns while Wes Welker collected eight catches for 120 yards.

NFL 2008 Game 12: Miami Dolphins 16, Saint Louis Rams 12

The Rams hosted the Miami Dolphins in a Week 13 matchup, falling by a final score of 16-12.

The Rams got on the board on the opening drive of the game with a 23-yard K Josh Brown field goal. After forcing the Dolphins to punt on the following drive, the Rams posted a second Brown field goal to go into the second quarter leading 6-0.

The Dolphins took the lead for the first time when RB Ronnie Brown ran in for a 3-yard touchdown. The Rams retaliated by posting a third field goal, which was answered with a Dolphins field goal to give them a 1-point lead going into the half, 10-9.

In the second half of play, the two teams exchanged field goals again, but the Dolphins were able to secure the lead with a final field goal to bring the score to 16-12.

NFL 2008 Game 13: Miami Dolphins 16, Buffalo Bills 3

In the first-ever NFL regular season game staged in Canada, the Dolphins swept the season series from the Bills for the first time since 2003.

The Dolphins opened the scoring with 6:48 remaining in the first quarter on 20-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to Anthony Fasano. The score capped a seven-play, 54-yard drive in which Lousaka Polite picked up one yard on third-and-1 on the play prior to the score. The Bills responded with a nine-play, 40-yard drive that ended with a Rian Lindell 40-yard field goal. The key play was a 17-yard scramble by JP Losman to the Dolphins' 45 on the first play of the drive.

The Dolphins regained their seven-point advantage 2:47 into the second quarter on a 50-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter, culminating an eight-play, 38-yard drive. The key plays were consecutive completions of 18 yards by Pennington, the first to David Martin on third-and-12 from the Dolphins' 28, and the second to Ted Ginn, putting the Dolphins at the Bills' 36. The Dolphins took a double-digit lead 21 seconds prior to the half on a 35-yard field goal by Carpenter, ending a 15-play, 51-yard drive that consumed 7:35 of the clock. A Polite 2-yard run on fourth-and-1 from the Bills' 34 was the drive's critical play. The Bills had a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line late in the third quarter before Will Allen picked off a Losman pass in the corner of the end zone intended for Lee Evans. Carpenter came on to connect on his third field goal of the game with 8:10 remaining in the contest as he hit on a 27-yarder to end a nine play drive that used 5:10 of the clock. Pennington hit on all five of his pass attempts, totaling 26 yards, en route to the score.

Pennington completed 23 of 29 passes for 181 yards with a TD, no INTs and a passer rating of 104.2. Davone Bess caught nine passes for 74 yards. The Dolphins held the Bills to 163 yards of total offense, including just 79 net passing. Miami recorded four sacks, including two by Joey Porter.

NFL 2008 Game 14: Miami Dolphins 14, San Francisco 49ers 9

With a 14-9 victory over San Francisco last Sunday at home, the Dolphins won for the 6th time in seven games as the Dolphins have not allowed a touchdown in three straight games.

The Dolphins took a 7-0 lead on their third offensive play of the game on a 61-yard completion from Chad Pennington to David Martin. The 49ers responded with a 10-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a Joe Nedney 38-yard field goal, with 3:57 remaining in the first quarter. Shaun Hill completed all five of his pass attempts, totaling 52 yards en route to the score.

The Dolphins opened an 11-point advantage 6:33 into the second quarter on a 19-yard strike from Pennington to Joey Haynos, four plays after Davone Bess returned a punt 27 yards to the 49ers 34. The 49ers made it an eight point game with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter on a 23-yard field goal by Nedney, ending a 16-play, 82-yard drive that consumed 7:29 of the clock. San Francisco was aided by a pair of Dolphins penalties, totaling 20 yards, on the drive.

The 49ers got to within five points of the lead 5:39 into the fourth quarter on a 28-yard field goal by Nedney, capping a 13-play, 69-yard drive that used 6:44 of the clock. A 20-yard completion from Hill to Isaac Bruce to the Dolphins' 26 put the 49ers in field goal range. The Dolphins had an opportunity to go back up by eight points, but Dan Carpenter's 49-yard field goal attempt with 2:36 to play bounded off the crossbar.

San Francisco started their final drive at their own 39 with 2:36 to play. In six plays, they advanced to the Dolphins 21. That's where drive stalled, however, as three consecutive incompletions was followed by a Joey Porter sack on San Francisco's final offensive play.

NFL 2008 Game 15: Miami Dolphins 38, Kansas City Chiefs 31

The Dolphins won for the eighth time in nine games as they beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-31.

The Dolphins took a 7-0 lead on their first offensive play of the game on a 31-yard TD run by Ted Ginn. André Goodman then intercepted a Tyler Thigpen pass on the Chiefs opening series and returned it 55 yards to the Chiefs 18. Dan Carpenter kicked a 34-yard field goal four plays later for a Dolphins 10-0 lead.

The Chiefs scored on their ensuing possession as a 33-yard TD pass from Thigpen to Devard Darling capped a three-play, 65-yard drive. The Chiefs took a 14-10 lead 55 seconds into the second quarter on an 8-yard TD pass from Thigpen to Tony Gonzalez on fourth-and-1.

The Dolphins regained the lead on the following series on an 11-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to David Martin, ending a five-play, 72-yard drive. Two plays from scrimmage later, Larry Johnson scored from two yards out, one play after Thigpen and Jamaal Charles combined for a 75-yard completion.

The Dolphins responded with a seven-play, 66-yard drive that culminated with a 14-yard TD pass from Pennington to Anthony Fasano. Joey Thomas recovered a fumble at the Chiefs 32 on the ensuing kickoff. The Dolphins could not capitalize. Kansas City took over on downs and marched 95 yards in eight plays, ending with an 8-yard TD run by Thigpen with 50 seconds left in the half to take a 28-24 lead.

The Chiefs took the ball on the opening series of the second half and ended up with a 27-yard field goal by Connor Barth for the 31-24 lead.

The Dolphins tied the game 31-31 with 6:46 to play in the third quarter on a five-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard scoring run by Ricky Williams.

The score remained tied until 4:08 remaining in the game when Pennington and Fasano hooked up for a 14-yard TD and the 38-31 lead.

NFL 2008 Game 16: Miami Dolphins 24, New York Jets 17

The Dolphins clinched the 13th AFC East title in team history and their first since 2000 as a result of their 24-17 victory over the Jets last Sunday at the Meadowlands

The first points of the game were not produced until there was 6:47 remaining in the second quarter when Brett Favre found Laveranues Coles for a 13-yard TD pass, eight plays after Bryan Thomas stripped the ball from Chad Pennington on a sack and Jason Trusnik recovered at the Jets' 49. Five plays prior to the score Favre connected with Jerricho Cotchery for a 26-yard completion on third-and-13, putting the Jets at the Dolphins' 28. The snap on the PAT was mishandled.

The Dolphins took a one-point lead with 2:18 to play in the opening half on a 27-yard TD pass from Pennington to Ted Ginn, capping a six-play, 60-yard drive. Three plays prior to the score, Pennington connected with Anthony Fasano for an 8-yard completion on third-and-5 from the Dolphins' 45.

On the next play from scrimmage, Phillip Merling plucked a Favre pass out of the air and raced 25 yards for a touchdown.

The Jets got the ball back and marched 67 yards in 10 plays ending with a 28-yard field goal by Jay Feely as time expired in the first half. The Jets started the drive at the Dolphins' 28 after an errant snap on a punt.

The Jets regained the lead on a 10-yard TD run by Leon Washington, 4:27 into the second half, five plays after the Jets commenced their scoring drive at the Dolphins' 28 following an errant snap on a punt.

Favre connected with Cotchery on the two-point conversion attempt. The Dolphins responded with a six-play, 80-yard drive that ended with 20-yard TD pass from Pennington to Fasano. Pennington completed all five of his pass attempts, totaling 79 yards, en route to the score. The Dolphins opened a seven-point advantage 5:40 into the fourth quarter on a 48-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter, six plays after Charlie Anderson blocked a Reggie Hodges punt, giving the Dolphins field position at the Jets' 49.

Andre Goodman came up with his second interception of the game, when he snared a Favre pass and returned it three yards to the Dolphins' 28 with 4:53 to play in the game. The Dolphins then were able to run out all but the final 17 seconds of the contest, with the key play being a 2-yard run by Pennington on fourth-and-1 from the Jets' 40.

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