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Brown, Dolphins edge lowly Rams

Dec 1, 2008 - 12:57 AM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Ronnie Brown and the Miami Dolphins certainly have come a long way in a short period of time.

At their current rate, the Dolphins could still challenge for a playoff spot.

Brown scored on a short touchdown run Sunday as Miami rebounded from its first loss in over a month with a 16-12 triumph over the woeful St. Louis Rams.

It was the fifth victory in the last six games for the resurgent Dolphins (7-5), who climbed into a tie with the New England Patriots for second place in the AFC East.

Miami and New England both trail the New York Jets (8-4) by one game for the top spot in the division. The Dolphins and Patriots also are one game behind Indianapolis and Baltimore for the AFC's two wild card spots.

"We've done a great job of keeping our poise and composure in tight games," Miami quarterback Chad Pennington said. "We've done a really good job of not getting down and getting stressed out over the situation and trying to remain focused even though today was a tight game."

Miami arguably has been the NFL's biggest surprise this season after going a league-worst 1-15 last year.

Under new team president Bill Parcells and first-year coach Tony Sparano, the Dolphins have a chance to reach the postseason for the first time since 2001.

"We're figuring out ways to win," Sparano said. "You come on the road; don't expect it to be easy. There is no opponent in this league that you take for granted."

Miami had a four-game winning streak snapped in last Sunday's 48-28 loss to New England.

Seven days later, the Dolphins bounced back against the lowly Rams (2-10), who have lost their last six games.

"It's nice to be on a winning team," said Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, who finished with 54 yards on 12 carries. "It's nice to be in contention. It feels good going into the games with confidence, knowing that we can win.

"I've been on losing teams, and it's not fun. So, we're having fun and we're ready to go every week and we're having fun in practices."

Three of Miami's four remaining games are on the road, including divisional matchups at New York and Buffalo.

But Williams feels that the Dolphins still have a chance to reach the postseason.

"We have to keep working hard, especially this time of the season," Williams said. "Your toughness is really tested both mentally and physically. So, if we can stay healthy and we can keep practicing hard and get better, I think we'll be in good shape."

Brown finished with 48 yards on 15 carries and scored the game's only touchdown on a 3-yard run with 10:59 remaining in the first half.

Dan Carpenter kicked three field goals for the Dolphins, who intercepted St. Louis' Marc Bulger three times in the second half.

Bulger finished just 16-for-35 for 149 yards while Steven Jackson, who had missed four of St. Louis' previous five games with a thigh injury, ran for 94 yards.

Pennington survived a shaky effort, completing 13-of-23 passes for 166 yards.

After making a pair of field goals in the first quarter, Josh Brown gave St. Louis a 9-7 lead by booting a 33-yarder with 1:51 left in the first half.

But Carpenter gave Miami the lead for good with his first field goal, a 37-yarder, as time expired before intermission.

The kick was set up by a 10-play, 57-yard drive in which Pennington completed 4-of-6 passes.

After Carpenter made a 47-yarder in the third quarter, Josh Brown drew St. Louis' deficit to 13-12 with a 38-yard field goal in the fourth.

But Carpenter pushed the lead back to 16-12 with a 42-yarder with 6:39 remaining, and Miami secured the victory when Andre' Goodman intercepted Bulger in the final minute to end St. Louis' comeback bid.

"We find ways to lose," Bulger said. "We hung in there the first half. We got that corrected, which is good. We played good in all phases at some points, but we struggled at others."