A miraculous turnaround denied the New England Patriots a return to the postseason.

The Miami Dolphins, one year removed from the leagues worst record at 1-15, captured the AFC East title with a 24-17 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.

That victory, coupled with the Baltimore Ravens 27-7 win over Jacksonville that clinched the No. 6 seed in the AFC, eliminated the Patriots from the postseason one year after they completed the first 16-0 season in league history.

Despite a four-game winning streak, New England (11-5) became the first 11-win team to miss the postsason since the Denver Broncos in 1985. Six teams in the AFC had at least 11 wins this season.

It is the way the system is set up. People complained about the BCS for years, Patriots fullback Heath Evans said. I dont think there is going to be a cure. You are going to have different division winners with different records. The AFC East was a tough division this year with some good teams.

You cant say enough about the Dolphins doing what they have done this year and coming so far in a year. So, hopefully they will represent this conference well and the division well and go far.

In a delicious bit of irony, quarterback Chad Pennington authored the victory over the Jets (9-7), who shot themselves out of contention with four losses in their last five games.

Pennington was shown the door by the Jets upon the acquisition of Brett Favre in August, but he made a triumphant return to the Meadowlands, outplaying the three-time MVP and nailing shut New Yorks fading playoff chances.

The Dolphins (11-5) will host Baltimore (11-5) in the wild card round next Sunday at 1 p.m. The Ravens won in Miami on October 19, but the Dolphins won nine of their final 10 contests, including the last five.

Well its always a sweet feeling to be a champion and thats what we are, were AFC East champions and its a great feeling, it really is, Pennington said. This organization, the Miami Dolphins organization, has been unbelievable. My teammates and my coaches, theyve accepted me from the get-go and its been an unbelievable ride. Were enjoying ourselves right now and having a good time.

The loss by the Jets could have been the final appearance for Favre, who will undergo an MRI exam on his throwing arm Monday which could determine his future plans.

Favre threw three interceptions against the Dolphins, giving him a league-high 22 for the seasons.

Really the hardest part is the finality of it especially when you expect to go on, Favre said. Its a tough pill to swallow, but I had a blast working with these guys.

The final playoff spot in the AFC was determined Sunday night when the San Diego Chargers routed the Denver Broncos, 52-21.

The Chargers (8-8) won their final four games to claim the West Division crown and get a home game against the Indianapolis Colts (12-4) on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the wild card round.

The Tennessee Titans (13-3) and Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) already have wrapped up the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds and first-round byes.

In the NFC, Philadelphia (9-6-1) needed a series of small miracles just to have a shot at the final playoff berth.

And once events unfolded perfectly for the Eagles earlier Sunday, they stampeded the Dallas Cowboys, 44-6, in a winner-take-all game for the final wild card berth.

Philadelphia needed Tampa Bay to lose at home to Oakland and either Chicago or Minnesota to also lose for its game against Dallas to have any postseason consequences.

Losses by the Buccaneers and Bears opened the door for the Eagles, who savaged the Cowboys with 41 unanswered points, extending Dallas NFL record of failing to produce a winning record in December to 12 straight seasons.

Im very proud of our guys, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said. Very easily, they could have lost the faith and not prepared themselves right for today, but, right from the get-go, it was all about the Cowboys. They werent worried about anything that would happen and any of the scenarios today. Im proud of them; thats the only way you can do that, and they did it.

The victory earned the Eagles a road game at the Vikings (10-6) next Sunday at 4:30. Minnesota clinched the NFC North with a 20-19 over the New York Giants, although it also would have won the title with the loss by the Bears.

We wanted to earn it, Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said. We didnt want to let somebody beat somebody else to get in.

The other NFC pairings were in doubt right to the final second – literally.

John Kasay kicked a 42-yard field goal with one second remaining to lift the Carolina Panthers to a 33-31 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

The win clinched the NFC South title, the No. 2 overall seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs for the Panthers (12-4).

I told them (his players) congratulations, Carolina coach John Fox said. When you win the division and get the second seed in the NFC, I think congratulations are in order.

The winning kick also deprived Atlanta (11-5) of the No. 2 seed and division title. The Falcons, who already were assured a playoff spot, earned the fifth seed and will visit the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals (9-7) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

The Giants (12-4), who rested several players for part of the game, already have clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Posted on December 29th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: NFL football news