Nedney Has Miami Smiling

Jimmy Johnson, Larry Izzo and Zach Thomas all had happy Texas homecomings in the Astrodome. But it took them a while to have something to cheer.

Thomas returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown and Joe Nedney kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired Sunday, rallying the Dolphins in the fourth quarter to a 23-20 victory over the Houston Oilers.

Thomas, a rookie linebacker from Texas Tech, gave the Dolphins their first lead at 20-17 with his big theft of Chris Chandler’s pass with 10:42 to go in the game.

“I was able to undercut and get the interception,” Thomas said. “I was so excited, I don’t even remember how it happened. I didn’t even keep the ball.”

Thomas’ interception wasn’t enough. The Oilers had some big plays of their own left.

Linebacker Barron Wortham stripped receiver O.J. McDuffie of the ball and Steve Jackson recovered it at the Oilers’ 45, setting up a 33-yard field goal by Al Del Greco for a 20-20 tie with 3:20 remaining.

But the Dolphins came back.

Dan Marino connected with McDuffie for a 20-yard completion on third and 12 from the Miami 24. Two plays later, he connected with tight end Troy Drayton for a 51-yard pass to the Oilers’ five.

The Dolphins worked the clock down to two seconds before Nedney kicked his third field goal of the game, leaving each team at 6-5.