Marino Is Marvelous in This One

Dan Marino redeemed himself.

Criticized by Coach Jimmy Johnson after a Monday night loss to Buffalo, Marino passed for 393 yards and connected with Oronde Gadsden on two big plays in the closing minutes as the Miami Dolphins beat the Indianapolis Colts, 34-31, Sunday.

“I don’t always say the right things, but I say what I feel,” said Johnson, who found little to fault Marino this time. “Danny was fantastic. After the first quarter, he did just a super job.”

The winning touchdown came after an apparent sack and fumble by Marino were reversed.

After watching a replay, officials ruled Marino’s arm was going forward and that it was an incomplete pass, keeping the Miami (3-1) drive alive at midfield with 1:16 to play. After two more incomplete passes, Marino passed to Gadsden for a 48-yard gain to the two. Two plays later, Gadsden made a leaping catch in the end zone, barely keeping both feet inbounds, for the winning touchdown with 27 seconds remaining.

“The replay system is not going to be perfect, but it’s better than nothing,” Johnson said. “I’m sure glad it did work out.”

After the Dolphins lost to the Bills, 23-18, Johnson said Marino became flustered by Buffalo’s pass rush and was at fault on two interceptions and a fumble returned for a touchdown.

Neither Johnson nor Marino wanted to talk about that on Sunday.

The Colts led, 17-9, after the first of Peyton Manning’s two touchdown passes to Marcus Pollard, but Marino passed 28 yards to Tony Martin for a score early in the fourth quarter. After Terrence Wilkins’ kickoff return for a touchdown, Marino passed 23 yards to Martin to set up a 25-yard touchdown run by rookie Cecil Collins, the longest run by a Dolphin this season.

The Dolphins were within 31-27 after a 43-yard field goal by Olindo Mare and an intentional safety by the Colts.

Marino started the Dolphins on their winning drive from their own 36 with 1:50 left, completing two passes to Martin to midfield before the apparent fumble on a tackle by Shawn King. For the game, Marino was 25 for 38, and Martin had 10 catches for 166 yards.

Manning was 17 for 24 for 274 yards.