Finally, a Good Day for Dolphins

Jay Fiedler threw a game-clinching touchdown pass, then sprinted the length of the field to join his teammates in an end zone celebration, waving his index finger as he ran.

No, the Miami Dolphins aren’t No. 1. But they do have victory No. 1.

Winless no more, Miami jump-started its sputtering offense with a succession of big plays and occasional trickery to beat the explosive St. Louis Rams, 31-14, at their own game Sunday.

“You almost forgot what it felt like,” Fiedler said. “We were down in the dungeon of the NFL, and we were able to play a full game. This is a big victory for us.”

After enduring the worst start in their 39-year history, the Dolphins (1-6) took out their frustration on the Rams (4-3), who had at least five players injured. The much-maligned Fiedler threw for two touchdowns, embattled Coach Dave Wannstedt made some risky calls that paid off, and Miami held the Rams’ high-powered offense in check.

“Enough is enough,” said defensive end David Bowens, who said last week he expected Miami to win its final 10 games. “At some point you’ve got to draw a line in the sand and be a man about it.”

The Dolphins are the last NFL team to win this season.

“Every dog has its day, and today was their day,” Ram defensive tackle Damione Lewis said. “You never know. They could run off six straight wins now.”

Fiedler was booed during the pregame introductions, then went 13 for 17 for 203 yards. He shrugged off five sacks and threw touchdown passes of 42 yards to Randy McMichael and 71 yards to Chris Chambers, with the latter clinching the win.

The conservative Wannstedt, his job in jeopardy, took some uncharacteristic gambles to keep St. Louis guessing. A 48-yard pass by receiver Marty Booker set up the game’s first score, and Miami also pulled off a fake punt and tried a halfback pass.

Miami, which entered with a league-high 17 turnovers, committed none.