Dolphins 'D' Does Raiders In

Sometimes there are advantages to being a relatively little guy in a big man's sport.

Zach Thomas, an undersized linebacker at 5-foot-11, strolled about six inches with an interception for a touchdown as the Miami Dolphins defeated the Oakland Raiders 27-17 Sunday to stay tied with the New York Jets atop the AFC East.

Donald Hollas, who threw six interceptions, was scrambling in the end zone when he lofted a pass right to Thomas a few inches from the goal line.

"He didn't see me, I guess, because I'm so short," Thomas said. "I guess that helps sometimes."

Miami linebacker Robert Jones also returned an interception for a score and Miami turned four first-half turnovers into 24 points.

Thomas and Jones each had another interception in the second half and the Dolphins had a team record-tying six overall, raising their NFL-leading total to 26 this season.

The Dolphins (9-4), who play the Jets this coming Sunday in Miami, had just nine first downs in the game -- as compared to 20 for Oakland -- and hardly seemed to need Dan Marino.

"Our defense was a ble to force them to make crucial mistakes. They've carried us for several games," said Marino, who threw a 19-yard scoring pass to Oronde Gadsden. "We're tied for first and now we get to play for the title."

Olindo Mare kicked field goals of 47 and 25 yards for the Dolphins, who were missing three injured offensive line starters but still did not allow a sack of Marino for the second consecutive week.

"To know that your offens is banged up, we needed the defense to step up," said Jones, part of a defense that ranked second in the league coming into the weekend. "That's what we talked about all week."

Hollas tossed a 7-yard scoring pass to Tim Brown, and Greg Davis kicked a 40-yard field goal for the Raiders (7-6), who have lost four of five -- including back-to-back home games -- and are struggling to stay in the hunt for their first playoff spot since 1993.

Hollas, making his sixth start in place of the injured Jeff George, was 12-of-31 for 152 yards before being replaced by Wade Wilson in the fourth quarter. Wilson had a 2-yard TD pass to Brown with 1:27 left in the game.

Dan Marino gets the ball away under pressure. (AP)

Hollas was sacked eight times.

"After my sixth sack, I started to watch the seagulls above the stadium each time I was taken down," Hollas said. "Even if you're rushed, six interceptions is unacceptable at this level. I wasn't adding them up until they pulled me out of the ballgame."

Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he expects Hollas to start again next week at Buffalo, though he did not rule out Wilson getting the start.

"Sometimes, the best play a A quarterback can make is to throw the ball away, giving you another down, another chance," Gruden said. "I think you witnessed Marino doing that a few times today."

Marino was 22-of-33 for 170 yards, with no interceptions. Karim Abdul-Jabbar ran 19 times for 94 yards for the Dolphins.

Oakland had two early chances to score, but a 48-yard field goal attempt by Davis sailed wide and Sam Madison intercepted a pass in the end zone after the Raiders got the ball at the Miami 7 by blocking a punt.

Miami made much more of its chances. Madison's interception began a drive that included a 45-yard run by Abdul-Jabbar and ended with Mare's 25-yard field goal.

Thomas made his interception three plays later to make it 10-0. Hollas was scrambling in the end zone when he threw the ball right to Thomas just inches from the goal line.

Oakland's Rodney Williams, subbing for the injured Desmond Howard, fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Gadsden scored three plays later.

After Davis' field goal, Jones grabbed a short pass into the middle of the field by Hollas and trotted into the end zone to make it 24-3 at halftime.

A fumbled snap by Marino at the Miami 9 early in the third period led to Brown's scoring catch. Mare kicked his 47-yard field goal with 3:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Notes