Dolphins Play It Close and Win

Dull on offense without Dan Marino, the Miami Dolphins nonetheless survived another thrilling finish.

Damon Huard led a conservative attack in his first NFL start, and the Dolphins defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 16-13, Sunday when a tricky breeze blew Norm Johnson’s 42-yard field-goal attempt wide right with 52 seconds left.

Cecil Collins rushed for 97 yards and Miami controlled the ball for 36 minutes despite throwing a season-low 21 passes.

“I want to run it enough to where we’re boring,” Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson said. “I love these 16-13 boring games.”

It wasn’t boring at the finish for the AFC East-leading Dolphins (5-1). Their past four victories have been by a total of 10 points.

“It’s nerve-racking,” middle linebacker Zach Thomas said. “I don’t even like watching. My heart’s fine, but my hair--I think I’m going to be the first one in my family to go bald.”

The ending was painfully familiar for the Eagles (2-5), who totaled only 175 yards. They’ve lost three games by a total of five points.

“We’re about to turn the corner,” receiver Charles Johnson said. “It’s almost like we’re peeking around the corner. We’re that close to being a complete team.”

The Dolphins notched only their second victory in the past 11 games when Marino doesn’t play, and they may be without him for a while. He’s unable to throw because of a bone spur in his lower neck. It was reported that he’ll fly to California on Tuesday to see a specialist.

The Dolphins’ Olindo Mare made field goals of 37, 37 and 53 yards, extending his streak without a miss to 17, a Miami record.