Dolphins are AFC East Champions!

Of all the wins in the Miami Dolphins' improbable turnaround season, this was the most impressive. Faced with the prospect of needing to win their final game to qualify for the playoffs, on the road against a hated divisional rival no less, the Dolphins defeated the Jet 24-17. The storylines were many in this game, including Chad Pennington's return to the city that released him before the season began in order to bring in Brett Favre. Pennington completed 22 of 30 passes for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. His replacement in NY, however, threw three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

The Dolphins completed the greatest turnaround in NFL season, going from 1-15 last season to 11-5 this year. The New England Patriots also finished with the same 11-5 records as the Dolphins, but the Dolphins won the AFC East after applying tiebreaker rules. Next week, Miami hosts the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs. Back in week 7, the Ravens beat the Dolphins 27-13, but with these Dolphins, you can't count them out of any game.

In other good news for the Dolphins, Saints QB Drew Brees failed to break Dan Marino's record for most yards in a season. He fell 15 yards short of the 5,084 that Marino set in 1984.

Dolphins on track for AFC East title, playoffs

The previous three games, it was the Miami Dolphins defense that won the game. Today, it was the offense's turn. A defense that hadn't given up a touchdown in three games gave up TDs on four consecutive possessions, but the offense helped the Dolphins beat the Chiefs 38-31. Chad Pennington led the offense with 26 completions in 34 attempts for 235 yards, three TDs, and one interception. The temperature at Arrow Head Stadium was 10 degrees, with a wind chill of minus-12, the coldest game the Dolphins have ever played in.

If the Dolphins win next week at the Jets, they will clinch the AFC East with an 11-5 record, just one year after posting a league-worst 1-15. On the other hand, if they lose to the Jets, the Dolphins may be out of the playoffs altogether.

49ers dominate, but Dolphins win

How things have changed. Last year, the Dolphins would've won statistically but lost the game, but this year, everything's coming up roses. San Francisco outgained Miami 318 yards to 248 and held the ball for 38 minutes, but the Dolphins prevailed 14-9. Chad Pennington threw a 61-yard TD to David Martin and a 19-yarder to rookie Joey Haynos, and that was enough to win the game. Haynos's TD catch was his first reception ever as a pro. He had not even played in most of the games this season.

Miami remains tied with the NY Jets and New England Patriots atop the AFC East. It's looking like only the division winner will make the playoffs, and if the Dolphins win their final two games, they will win the division.

Defense pushes Dolphins to head of AFC East

No one, including myself, could have thought that with 3 weeks to play, the Dolphins would share the AFC East lead. That is where the Miami Dolphins find themselves after beating the Bills 16-3, tied with the Jets and Patriots at 8-5 atop the division.

This game belonged to the defense. Miami held Buffalo to 163 total yards and only 22 minutes of possession in the game. That was more than enough for the offense, led by Chad Pennington's 23 of 29 passing for 181 yards. Pennington also connected on his final 11 attempts. He became the first Dolphins QB to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season since Jay Fiedler in 2001.

Next week, the Dolphins play a 49ers team that soundly beat the Jets. The Dolphins can win the division by winning their final three games, but they need a little help to make the playoffs if they lose a game. This year, 10-6 may not guarantee a spot in the playoffs.

Dolphins get by Rams

The football adage "Don't apologize for winning" certainly applies to the Dolphins this season. In a game where the offenses were largely ineffective, Miami defeated the horrible St. Louis Rams, 16-12, to improve to 7-5. Neither Ricky Williams nor Ronnie Brown gained more than 54 each, and Chad Pennington threw for only 166 yards. Fortunately, the Dolphins defense held the Rams to 278 total yards and caused three turnovers.

The next game may possibly define the Dolphins' season. They play at Buffalo in a game between divisional rivals both trying to stay alive in the playoff chase. If the Dolphins win, they have a good chance of playing in the postseason. If not, it'll be a very tough road ahead in the final three weeks.