Mixon’s the One to Rally Dolphins

The Denver Broncos were in control, and the Miami Dolphins were in trouble. Then, in the time it took 275-pound defensive end Kenny Mixon to run 56 yards with an interception, the game turned around.

“I saw the ball coming, and it was slow motion for a second,” Mixon said. “I said, ‘Uh-oh, I’ve got to catch this thing.’ It stuck in my mitts, and I took it to the house.”

Picking off a pass that Brian Griese tried to throw away, Mixon scored the go-ahead touchdown on his first NFL interception during a remarkable sequence that helped the Dolphins beat Denver, 21-10, Sunday.

Miami improved to 8-3 and took sole possession of the AFC East lead. The New York Jets fell one game back by losing to New England, 17-16.

Denver took a 10-0 lead into the final period, but two turnovers helped the Dolphins score 21 points in 4:46. They came from behind in the fourth quarter to win for the fifth time this season, including four of their last six games.

“There is a no-quit attitude on this team,” Coach Dave Wannstedt said. “Anyone who has been watching the games should see it.”

The Broncos, sputtering again on offense with an injury-plagued receiving corps, fell to 6-6. Coach Mike Shanahan said his team likely must win its final four games to make the playoffs.

“We figured out the math one week ago--four out of four,” Shanahan said.

The Broncos have never won in six games at Miami, and this defeat ranked with the most galling.

The Dolphin offense mounted its only scoring march and cut the deficit to 10-7 with 13:45 left on Jay Fiedler’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Chris Chambers. That ended a stretch of seven quarters at home without a point for Miami.

On Denver’s next series, Griese tried to get rid of the ball on a blitz as he was hit by Jason Taylor, and the errant pass bounced off Mixon’s left thigh and into his arms.

“One play changed everything, and it was my fault,” Griese said. “If I take a sack, we probably win.”

Mixon had enough of a head start that the smaller, faster opponents couldn’t catch him.

“It was reminiscent of Forrest Gump,” teammate Derrick Rodgers said.

Mixon dived into the end zone for his first touchdown in four NFL seasons, and the first interception return for a score by a Dolphin lineman since Kim Bowkamper in 1983.

Things quickly got worse for Denver. Chris Cole fumbled on the ensuing kickoff when hit by Jeff Ogden, and the Dolphins’ Scott Galyon recovered.

Two plays later, Miami scored again on Lamar Smith’s one-yard run.

The stunning turnaround spoiled Griese’s return to Miami, his hometown, and Terrell Davis’ return to the Denver lineup with 97 yards in 20 carries.