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Playing defensive Dolphins hope defense lifts them to second round
Updated: Friday December 29, 2000 12:41 AM
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Playoff pressure tends to transform the Miami Dolphins' dominating defense into a dismal facade. It happened two years ago, when Miami's season ended with a 38-3 loss at Denver. It happened again last season, when Jacksonville eliminated the Dolphins, 62-7. In both cases, defense carried the Dolphins into the postseason, then unraveled. They face another potential offensive onslaught Saturday against Indianapolis in an AFC wild-card game. "In the past we always collapsed, but this time I think we might make it further," defensive end Lorenzo Bromell said. "We're more mature. This is my third year here, and pretty much everybody has been here longer than me. We know how to handle the playoffs a little better." This year's defensive unit ranks with the Dolphins' best. Miami ranked third in the NFL in points allowed and in the top four in five other categories. "This is the best defense we've taken into the playoffs," linebacker Robert Jones said. "We've been in all types of situations in different elements and found a way to gel and not become frustrated. If someone screws up, we just keep fighting." Four defenders -- ends Trace Armstrong and Jason Taylor, cornerback Sam Madison and safety Brock Marion -- were chosen for the Pro Bowl. Armstrong and Taylor ranked 1-2 in the AFC in sacks, and Miami led the NFL with 28 interceptions. "We've had some pretty good defenses, but I think it's safe to say that each year we've gotten better," linebacker Derrick Rodgers said. "We've made a lot of strides with the turnover ratio, the interceptions and our pass rush.
"We should be confident. We have a very good team. As long as we're playing our style of football, we can go very far in the playoffs." The Dolphins (11-5) won the AFC East for the first time since 1994, and their reward is to play perhaps one of the NFL's hottest team. The Colts (10-6) won their final three games to make the playoffs. When the Dolphins met the Colts on Dec. 17, Peyton Manning went 21-for-28, Edgerrin James ran for 112 yards and Indianapolis beat Miami, 20-13. Manning's short passes allowed Indy to control the ball for nearly 34 minutes, the second-best total against the Dolphins this season. "Their pass rush and secondary are so good, we felt like we had to get rid of the ball quickly," Colts head coach Jim Mora said. "They make you look bad at times. They're an outstanding defensive team -- as good as there is in the league, if not the best. You've got to be patient against them, but it's hard, and they make it hard. They stop you and stop you, and you can't panic. You've got to keep your poise and hope eventually that things will work." The Dolphins struggled against the run at times the second half of the season, and blew a 23-point fourth-quarter lead in a memorable Monday night loss to the New York Jets. But Miami also held six opponents to a touchdown or less. "They're so disciplined, and so fast," Manning said. "There are so many times you have first and 10 and try to run it, and then you have second and 10 because they're so good against the run. If you force passes and try to be greedy, it always costs you. It can be a challenge. You can't force plays against a defense as good as theirs." But the Dolphins' defenders have yet to prove themselves in the postseason. On Saturday they get another chance.
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