• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Dolphins close out miserable season

Dec 30, 2007 - 11:23 AM Cincinnati (6-9) at Miami (1-14) 1:00 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Mercifully, it will soon be over.

The Miami Dolphins, who have clinched the top pick in next year's draft, conclude the worst season in franchise history on Sunday, when they host the Cincinnati Bengals.

With another loss, the Dolphins will become the eighth team in NFL history and the first since the 2001 Carolina Panthers to finish a season 1-15.

The Dolphins were in jeopardy of becoming the first team to go 0-16 before beating the Baltimore Ravens, 22-16, in overtime two weeks ago.

Miami returned to its losing ways with last week's 28-7 loss to the undefeated New England Patriots. The Dolphins actually blanked the Patriots in the second half but it was too little, too late, as New England led at halftime, 28-0.

It was Miami's first game since hiring Bill Parcells as executive vice president of football operations.

The Bengals played spoiler last week, preventing the Cleveland Browns from clinching a playoff spot with a 19-14 victory.

Starting in place of injured Rudy Johnson, Kenny Watson rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown for the Bengals.

Rookie safety Chinedum Ndukwe, the roommate of backup Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn at Notre Dame, recorded two interceptions and nine tackles in his first start.

Despite the win, Cincinnati is headed for its first losing season since posting a 2-14 mark in 2002. The Bengals finished 8-8 last year.