Throwing In the Towel Has New Meaning

You can be sure Dan Marino never viewed the final seconds of a playoff berth-clinching victory from the sidelines with a towel wrapped around his bare legs in a near-empty stadium.

That’s how some Miami Dolphins did it on a dark, chilly Sunday afternoon in their first season since Marino’s retirement as they beat the New England Patriots, 27-24, after trailing most of the game.

“We knew it would not be easy coming up here and falling behind the way we did,” Dolphin Coach Dave Wannstedt said before bizarre circumstances followed.

Olindo Mare’s 49-yard field goal into the wind with nine seconds left gave the Dolphins (11-5) the points that would make them AFC East champions. Then what appeared to be the last play--a fumble by Drew Bledsoe as he was passing--sent players to the locker rooms as time expired.

But after a 35-minute delay, referee Johnny Grier said a replay showed the last play was an incompletion and three seconds remained.

Neither team “wanted to come back on the field and I could understand that,” Grier said, noting players already had removed uniforms and tape.

But Wannstedt--who took over when Jimmy Johnson retired after last season--tossed aside his AFC East championship cap and players scurried out of the showers.

“I just went out there as is,” wearing a towel, Miami offensive guard Kevin Donnalley said. “I just wanted to get it done quickly and get out of here.”

Empty seats provided silent witnesses to the bizarre finish.

Before half-dressed players shivering in sub-freezing temperatures, Michael Bishop replaced Bledsoe for the only time Sunday with the ball at the New England 40. Bishop threw a desperation pass far short of the end zone.

Finally, the Dolphins, who lost their previous two games, could celebrate for real. They will play Indianapolis in a first-round playoff game Saturday at Miami.

“That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever been through in football,” said Miami’s Hunter Goodwin, who caught his first touchdown pass in five NFL seasons. “The whole last month has been crazy. If you’re from Florida, expect anything.”

Jay Fiedler, Marino’s successor, completed 13 of 17 passes on Miami’s last two drives that produced 10 points. He finished 30 for 45 for 264 yards despite playing with a torn rotator cuff on his left (non-throwing) shoulder.

Lamar Smith scored on two one-yard touchdown runs for Miami.

Now the Dolphins have a chance to make amends for last season’s 62-7 second-round playoff loss to Jacksonville in Marino’s last game.

“If we play our game, we’re fine,” Miami linebacker Zach Thomas said.

Unfortunately for the Patriots (5-11), they played theirs as they lost by eight points or less for the ninth time this season.

“It was the most frustrating season of my career,” Bledsoe said. “I’m worn out mentally, physically and emotionally.”

If the Dolphins lost, they still would have made the playoffs, because the New York Jets lost. But Wannstedt didn’t want it that way.

“This is such a good feeling for our team to walk in and earn everything,” he said.

Thomas made it possible when he intercepted Bledsoe’s pass at the Miami 24 with 3:44 left. Then Fiedler went six for eight on the drive to bring the Dolphins to the New England 31.

Mare, who had missed his previous two field goals, then made for the decisive kick.

“I was just happy to get a chance to redeem myself,” he said.