'A long day'

Davis, Denver trample Dolphins' defense

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Posted: Saturday January 09, 1999 10:01 PM

Johnson: "Denver blocked us as well as anybody has all year" AP

DENVER (AP) -- The Miami Dolphins came into the game riddled by injuries. Then they were riddled by Terrell Davis.

Shortly after being named the NFL's most valuable player Saturday, Davis shredded the Dolphins' depleted front four for 199 yards rushing and two touchdowns to lead the Denver Broncos to a 38-3 victory in the AFC playoffs.

It was a stunning collapse by a Miami defense that allowed the fewest points in the league during the regular season.

"When you come this far and get beat this bad, it's embarrassing," defensive lineman Shane Burton said.

Pro Bowl tackle Tim Bowens and end Jason Taylor missed the game with injuries, and their absences were clearly felt. Both played in Miami's 31-21 victory over Denver last month, when the Dolphins limited Davis to a season-low 29 yards.

He surpassed that total on the Broncos' first possession Saturday. By the second quarter he reached the 100-yard mark -- just the second player to achieve the milestone against Miami this season. And he kept running after that.

The Dolphins couldn't stop Davis, and they barely slowed him down.

"It was injuries," cornerback Sam Madison said. "If we'd had people healthy, it would have been another hard-fought game."

"He ran over people all year, but I never thought he'd have that many yards on us," All-Pro middle linebacker Zach Thomas said. "They dominated."

Denver rushed for 250 yards, the first time a Miami opponent topped 200 this season. The Dolphins gave up three rushing touchdowns after allowing just six during the regular season.

"Denver blocked us as well as anybody has all year," Miami coach Jimmy Johnson said. "We didn't get any charge or push."

"We couldn't stop them," Burton said. "They were flying around, whooping and hollering and patting everyone on the back. They got after us."

Davis repeatedly hurt Miami with cutbacks, most notably on a dazzling 20-yard touchdown run when he juked past Calvin Jackson and Sam Madison, sending them sprawling as he danced into the end zone.

Too many other times, there was no one in Davis' way.

"Our backside pursuit hurt us," linebacker Derrick Rodgers said. "They did a good job of walling everybody in and making us pay."

The Broncos' first three possessions resulted in touchdown drives of 92, 66 and 87 yards. By then the score was 21-3.

"When you can't control the line of scrimmage," cornerback Terrell Buckley said with a sigh, "you're in for a long day,"

 

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