New Attack Isn’t Run of the Mill

Dan Marino didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but it didn’t matter. That’s because the Miami Dolphins found a new way to win--power football.

Karim Abdul-Jabbar ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns Sunday as the Dolphins defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 24-13, and moved into a first-place tie in the AFC East with a 24-13 victory.

Abdul-Jabbar keyed a revitalized ground game that amassed a season-high 148 yards, the first time Miami (5-2) topped the 100-yard mark this year. He matched a team record with the three rushing touchdowns, scoring from inside the 10 each time in the first half.

“We’ve got to run the football if we’re going to have any success. We understand that,” Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson said. “We were able to run the ball and able to control the clock somewhat to try to keep them off the field.”

The Dolphins held the ball for 35:12 compared to 24:18 for the Ravens (3-4).

Miami’s third consecutive victory, combined with New England’s loss to the New York Jets, left the Dolphins tied with the Patriots atop the AFC East.

“They’re not going to give us much for first place after seven games. But it’s a good start for us, considering we’re a young team and all the injuries we’ve got,” Johnson said.

Abdul-Jabbar surpassed 100 yards four times last year, but his previous best rushing effort this season was 62 yards last week, and he had averaged 2.8 yards a carry in the Dolphins’ first six games. He had 85 yards in a decisive first half in which Miami took a 21-3 lead.

“Teams that can’t throw, they can’t throw until they get to us,” Raven Coach Ted Marchibroda said. “Teams that can’t run, when they hit us, we make them well.”