6B SPORTS
NFL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2008
Dolphins fish out a strong turnaround
BY DAVE GOLDBERG
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A year ago, the Miami Dolphins were the Detroit Lions, 0-13 and seemingly headed for the first 0-16 season in NFL history. Twelve months later, they are in position to win the AFC East by winning their remaining three games, one of the more remarkable turnarounds ever.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington throws the ball under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kesley during the second half of the game on Sunday. The Dolphins signed Pennington, giving them the professional quarterback they didn't have last season. ASSOCIATED PRESS
No, the Dolphins didn't finish winless last season, beating Baltimore 22-16 in overtime in Week 15.
But even after Bill Parcells took over the operations and brought in Tony Sparano to coach the team, no one expected an 8-5 record this late in the schedule and a three-way tie with the Patriots and Jets. Another sign of how quickly things can change: New England was 13-0 at this point in 2007, yet 2008 could end with the Dolphins in the playoffs and the Patriots out.
There are extenuating circumstances.
One is the season-ending injury to Tom Brady in the first quarter of the season's first game, bringing New England back to the pack in both the division and in the AFC.
Another is the trade that brought Brett Favre to the Jets, resulting in the release of Chad Pennington and his signing by the Dolphins, giving Miami the professional quarterback it lacked last season.
"The story does keep getting better," safety Yeremiah Bell said after Miami pulled into a first place tie by beating Buffalo 16-3 in Toronto on Sunday, while the Jets were losing their second straight in San Francisco. "This is something that's definitely sweet, going from one win to being in every game this year and having a legitimate chance to win. It's a great feeling."
Sunday's game was just another example of how things have gone so right for Miami this season.
Instead of playing in 1 degree temperatures in Buffalo, the Dolphins were indoors in Toronto's Rogers Centre, where it was. 68, just the right atmosphere for a team from South Florida. And a good part of the crowd was on their side.
"It wasn't clear who the home team was, but that's nice for us," noted Ricky Williams.
Here's a look at the playoff picture.
AFC RECAP
the South and Denver (8-5) is a win or a San Diego loss away from clinching the West. Add the two teams that lead the North, Pittsburgh (10-3) and Baltimore (9-4), plus Indianapolis (9-4) and the winner of the East and there are your six playoff teams.
Tennessee (12-1) has clinched
The Steelers, who beat Baltimore at home, can clinch the division if they win Sunday in Baltimore. If the Ravens win, that would be a head-to-head split and most likely 5-1 division records for both.
That means the division could be decided on their record against common opponents, which wouldn't be determined until the season plays out. The Ravens finish at Dallas, which lost Sunday to the Steelers, and at home to Jacksonville; Pittsburgh is at Tennessee and at home to Cleveland.
Indianapolis, which has won six in a row, finishes against winless Detroit, Jacksonville (4-9) and a Tennessee team almost sure to have nothing to play for. That should put the Colts in the playoffs and make it the kind of wild-card team that can do what the Steelers did after the 2005 season and the Giants managed last season.
The only other team with a
shot at a wild-card spot might be New England (8-5) if it doesn't win the East yet wins its final three games while either Pittsburgh or Baltimore stumbles. But the Steelers beat the Patriots, so they hold any tiebreaker, and the Ravens are currently 7-3 in the AFC to 5-5 for New England, the applicable tiebreaker at this point.
NFC RECAP
The Giants (11-2) have clinched the East and Arizona (8-5) finally clinched the weak West after failing twice against NFC East opponents: New York and Philadelphia. That doesn't bode well for the Cardinals' chances in the playoffs, but just winning a division is a huge step forward; they hadn't done that
since they won the East while calling St. Louis home 33 years ago.
Minnesota (8-5) holds a one-game lead over Chicago (7-6) in the North and Monday night's game in Charlotte between Tampa Bay and Carolina goes a long way toward deciding the South. The Bucs won the first meeting at home.
As with Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the team that doesn't win the South will lead for one wild-card spot, although it's not a sure thing because there are more contenders in the NFC for those two berths: add Dallas and Atlanta (both 8-5); Philadelphia (7-5-1); and perhaps even New Orleans (7-6), although the Saints are a long shot.
The Eagles, who are playing
well, are the sleeper here.
In their last two games, they've beaten both division winners: 48-20 over the Cardinals and 20-14 at the Meadowlands. Moreover, their schedule on paper is slightly easier than the other contenders: at home to Cleveland; at fading and banged-up Washington; and at home to Dallas the final week.
The ultimate irony is say: Say the Eagles go into the final game 9-5-1 to 10-5 for the Cowboys with the final playoff spot on the line. If they win, there would be no tiebreaker — the difference would be the tie they played with Cincinnati last month.
NBA
That's the tie that Donovan McNabb didn't know could be played.
Allen leads the Boston Celtics to their 12th straight victory
BY CLIFF BRUNT ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — Ray Allen can still take over a game. In fact, he dominated several lately.
With the Boston Celtics riding a 12-game winning streak, their longest since 1986. Allen has gone on perhaps his best scoring binge since he joined the team last season.
In the past eight games, he's averaged 24 points, shooting 59 percent from the field and 53 percent from 3-point range. His latest outburst was a season-best 35-point effort in Boston's 122-117 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
well," teammate Paul Pierce said. "We're finding ways to get him the ball, and we're making a conscious effort because he's really shooting lights out. It's good for us, and as long as he keeps shooting the way he does and we keep winning, we're going to keep giving it to him."
"He's shooting the ball really
In the only other NBA games Sunday, it was: the Los Angeles Lakers 105, Milwaukee 92, Portland 98, Toronto 97; and the New York Knicks 104, Detroit 92.
Allen made five 3-pointers in wins against Golden State and Toronto last month, six at home against Indiana on Wednesday and seven against the Pacers on Sunday.
Allen averaged 17.4 points per game last season, nearly four points
below his career average, but played a key role in the Celtics' run to the NBA title. Before last season, he averaged at least 23 points the previous four years with the Seattle SuperSonics. Boston coach Doc Rivers said Allen's success this season is a product of greater familiarity with the offense.
"He's just in a groove," Rivers said. "He knows our system far better this year than last year. There's a lot more in it for him this year."
Allen came to the Celtics willing to sacrifice some of his scoring numbers for a title, but he's willing to shoot more when called upon.
"I'm just the recipient right now," he said. "It definitely goes in cycles." His scoring ability is.
a 33-year-old playing in his 13th NBA season, but Allen feels like he's in excellent shape. He's played at least 37 minutes in the past five games, and played 41 minutes on Sunday.
His scoring ability is unique for
Pacers forward Danny Granger said Allen's age doesn't matter.
"Man, I don't care how old he is, he's always going to be able to shoot the ball." Granger said. "He's a dead-eye shooter."
Allen proved that by making one of the biggest shots in overtime on Sunday. He curled around a screen and made a 3 from beyond the top of the key with the shot clock winding down to give Boston a 116-111 lead with 43 seconds left.
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Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen shoots over Indiana Pacers center Rasho Nesterovic in the first half of a game in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Celtics are riding a 12-game winning streak, their longest since 1986.
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