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FOR USE AS DESIRED
COLTS-DOLPHINS -- ALWAYS TIGHT -- MEET MONDAY NIGHT
Next season, the Indianapolis Colts move to the AFC South when the NFL welcomes the Houston Texans and realigns into eight four-team divisions. So the Colts’ visit to Miami this Monday night should be special -- it marks the last meeting between the clubs as AFC East rivals. It will also be special because the 8-3 Dolphins will seek to retain their hold on first place in the division as the NFL approaches the final quarter of its season. If recent history is any indication, the Colts-Dolphins’ game is sure to be one not to miss. Consider: · The past six meetings (including one playoff game) have been decided by seven points or less. · Five of the past six meetings (including the playoff game) have had the game-winning score occur in the fourth quarter. In fact, in those five games, the game-winning score came after the two-minute warning. Colts tight end MARCUS POLLARD, who has at least one scoring catch in four of his past six games, notes the importance of playing well in such close games.
“The margin of error is so tight in the NFL now that when it comes down to the end, if you can finish, some other teams won’t,” says Pollard. “Most losses come down to seven points or less. So if you can make plays, stay on the field and sustain drives, it can only help.”
Pollard and wide receiver MARVIN HARRISON have made the plays for the Colts this season. Pollard has averaged 16.2 yards per catch -- tops among all tight ends with at least 30 receptions. Harrison is tied for the AFC lead with 12 touchdown catches. Against Miami, he has been particularly effective, with 511 receiving yards and six scoring grabs in the past five meetings.
Miami has playmakers as well. Rookie wide receiver CHRIS CHAMBERS leads the NFL with a 19.5 yards-per-catch average and has five touchdown receptions in the past four games (including four in the fourth quarter). In the last game against Indianapolis (November 11), Chambers had two scoring catches, including the 29-yard game-winner. Teammate ORONDE GADSDEN has an 18.7 yards-per-catch average against the Colts and has two fourth-quarter game-winning TD receptions in the past six meetings.
Quarterback JAY FIEDLER, who has led Miami against Indianapolis in the teams’ last four games, is anxious to make the Dolphins’ season easier.
“We have people making plays in the fourth quarter when we’re down and we have to make a play,” says Fiedler. “We’d like to go out there, start from the beginning and put points up early and continue putting points up as we go. But it’s great to know, confidence-wise, that we can come back. The bottom line is that we’re coming away with wins, no matter how we do it.”
One place where the Dolphins have frequently won is on Monday Night Football. So in addition to trying to maintain first place in the AFC East Monday night, the Dolphins aim to become the winningest-team in Monday Night Football history. With 35 MNF victories, Miami is tied with Dallas and San Francisco for the most in the series. Following are the winningest teams on Monday Night Football:
MOST VICTORIES ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
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