Dickerson Regains Form; Colts Win

Although the Indianapolis Colts won 6 of 7 previous games going into Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins, they knew they would need better results from slumping Eric Dickerson to have a chance to make the playoffs.

Dickerson hadn’t gained 100 yards in 5 straight games before Sunday. As it turned out, the struggling Dolphins were just what he needed.

The National Football League’s leading rusher ran 31 times for 169 yards as the Colts handed the Dolphins their fifth straight defeat, 31-28, before a crowd of 45,236.

The Colts’ seventh victory in eight games keeps them in contention for an American Conference wild-card playoff berth.

“A lot of people say I’m selfish, but I don’t mind not getting 100 yards as long as we win,” Dickerson said.

Largely because of Dickerson, Indianapolis controled the ball for more than 37 minutes. The Colts (8-6) drove 78 and 90 yards for touchdowns in a 21-point second quarter. They ran the ball 47 times for 221 yards.

“It was a great day of ball-control offense,” Coach Ron Meyer said.

An interception and fumble recovery by safety Mike Prior at midfield led to the Colts’ other scores. Indianapolis kept the ball for more than 8 minutes during a 44-yard fourth-quarter drive that led to Dean Biasucci’s 47-yard field goal.

Marino, who completed 26 of 32 passes for 304 yards and tied the Dolphins’ record of 192 career touchdown passes set by Bob Griese from 1967 to 1980, threw his third touchdown pass, a 1-yarder to Mark Clayton, with a minute left, but the Colts’ Pat Beach recovered the ensuing onside kick.

Miami (5-9) lost all 8 games to AFC East teams this season.