Playoff hopes dashed against Texans

The Dolphins found themselves in an early 27-3 hole and couldn't make up the difference. The result was a 27-20 loss that all but assured this year's Dolphins won't make the playoffs. Ricky Williams left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury, but Chad Henne tried to rally the team with 35 completions for 322 yards. Unfortunately, the effort was too little, too late.

The Dolphins have now lost all five games against the Houston Texans in the team's history, an astonishing fact given that the Texans have never been a great team.

There was one silver lining this weekend. The 1972 Dolphins will still be the only perfect team in NFL history. The Jets beat the Colts 29-15. The Colts rested their starters for the playoffs rather than try for an undefeated season, an honorable move by their head coach, which I sincerely hope pays off for them in the postseason.

Playoff hopes take a big hit in OT loss

The Miami Dolphins came back from an 18-point deficit, only to lose to the Tennessee Titans in overtime, 27-24. While not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, the 7-7 Dolphins are now a long shot to make it.

The Titans took a 24-6 lead in the third quarter, but Chad Henne and Ricky Williams brought the team back to tie it at 24-24 with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Miami won the OT toss and got the ball first, but Henne threw one of his three interceptions, and Tennessee then kicked their game winning field goal.

The Dolphins didn't play terrible, but they didn't play well enough to overcome their four turnovers. It was a disappointing loss because Miami could easily be 8-6 and sitting pretty in the playoff picture right now.

The weekend did produce one bit of good news. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the New Orleans Saints, leaving the Colts as the only undefeated team in the NFL.

Dolphins dominate Jags, barely win

The Miami Dolphins handily beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in most statistical categories but needed a defensive stop at the end of the game to preserve a 14-10 victory. The Dolphins outgained the Jags in yardage, 354 to 217, kept the ball for ten additional minutes, and got more than twice the number of first downs, 22 to 10. However, three turnovers and a missed field goal left the game in doubt until the final minute.

Chad Henne had another record day, completing a franchise record 17 passes in a row. He ended with 21 completions in 29 attempts for 220 yards, an interception, and no touchdown (but he did score a touchdown rushing). Ricky Williams helped with another good game. Williams ran 28 times for 108 yards and a touchdown, but he lost a fumble.

Like last year's Cinderella season, the Dolphins are finding a way to win the close games, unlike the beginning of the year, when the close ones went in the other team's favor as often as Miami's. Next up is a date with the Titans in Tennessee, who just demolished the Rams and are one game behind the Dolphins.

Dolphins keep playoff hopes alive in victory over Pats

The Miami DOlphins' playoff hopes are still alive, thanks to a career day by Chad Henne. Henne threw for 335 yards on 29-of-52 passing, with two touchdowns and an interception, in defeating the New England Patriots, 22-21. The number of passes and yards were career highs for the second year QB.

After the Patriots took a 21-19 lead, Henne drove the Dolphins 51 yards for the winning field goal. Channing Crowder sealed the win with his first career interception, picking off Tom Brady with 35 seconds left.

Davone Bess caught 10 of Henne's completions for 117 yards and a TD. TE Anthony Fasano caught another five passes. As for the running game, Ricky Williams led the team with 18 carries for 75 yards.

At 6-6, the Dolphins are now tied for second in the AFC East, a game behind the Patriots. The records of Miami's remaining four opponents are all between 7-5 and 5-7, and all of them will be fighting for their playoff lives, like the Dolphins.

Dolphins lose to lowly Bills

A tied game at the half turned into a Buffalo romp as the Bills whipped the Miami Dolphins, 31-14. The Bills scored the last 24 points in the fourth quarter after the Dolphins took a 14-7 lead.

Chad Henne was largely ineffective after a good first quarter. He completed 17 of 31 passes for just 175 yards, one touchdown, and three costly interceptions. Ricky Williams ran well again as the lone featured back, gaining 115 yards on 27 carries. However, he threw an interception in the end zone on his only attempt from the Wildcat.

Things don't get any easier, as the Dolphins have to face division-leading New England after the Patriots were embarrassed by the Saints on Monday night. At this point, Miami have to win the remainder of their games in order to have a realistic shot at the playoffs.