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Dolphins join Vikings, Panthers as division champs

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-29 13:34

NEW YORK - The Miami Dolphins continued their Cinderella season to join the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers in grabbing division titles on the final day of the NFL regular season on Sunday.

Miami Dolphins Ted Ginn Jr (R) scores a touchdown while being covered by New York Jets Darrelle Revis during the first half of their NFL football game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, December 28, 2008. [Agencies]

The Dolphins, the league's worst team a year ago at 1-15, rode the quarterbacking of New York Jets reject Chad Pennington to a 24-17 victory over his former team to claim the AFC East Division crown and a playoff berth.

The win was the ninth in 10 games for the Dolphins (11-5).

Minnesota's Ryan Longwell booted a 50-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to beat the visiting New York Giants 20-19 and earn the Vikings (10-6) the NFC North championship and a playoff spot.

Carolina wrapped up the NFC South title and the No. 2 NFC seed behind the playoff-bound Giants (12-4) with a 33-31 triumph at New Orleans on John Kasay's 42-yard field goal with a second to play.

The win gave the Panthers (12-4) a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who threw for four touchdowns, narrowly missed the NFL single-season record for passing yards when he finished with 386 yards.

He needed 402 yards to surpass former Miami quarterback Dan Marino's 1984 record of 5,084 yards. Brees still became only the second NFL player to throw for more than 5,000 yards during a regular season.

Philadelphia and Baltimore also roared into the playoffs with Philadelphia (9-6-1) crushing the Dallas Cowboys 44-6 while Baltimore (11-5) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-7 for an AFC wild-card spot.

The New England Patriots (11-5), who were unbeaten last season until the Superbowl, shut out the Buffalo Bills 13-0 but had their run of five consecutive playoff seasons halted when Miami and Baltimore both won.

Related readings:  Tough D and long pass see Vikings chase away Bears  Longwell lifts Vikings with game-winning kick  Vikings escape New Orleans with victory  Vikings win five in a row

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears also fell out of postseason contention with the Buccaneers (9-7) losing 31-24 to the Oakland Raiders while Chicago (9-7) had its season end with a 31-24 loss at Houston.

The league's final playoff berth and the AFC West title are still up for grabs when the San Diego Chargers play the Denver Broncos later on Sunday.

The Detroit Lions became the first NFL team to go 0-16 in a season when they lost 31-21 at Green Bay (6-10).