Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Miami 24 at Denver 22 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Miami Dolphins: QB Jay Fiedler finished the game with broken right thumb. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Denver stuffed RB Ricky Williams all night long and challenged QB Jay Fiedler to beat them. Fiedler didn't lose the game, but his overall performance was a shade under spectacular. He made the necessary throws, but had trouble getting his WRs involved. He managed the game well, but got lucky that John Mobley didn't pick off two of his passes that hit him in the hands. The Miami Defense gave up lots of yards, but made enough big plays to keep the Denver offense in check. Patrick Surtain's INT return for a TD and a forced fumble at the goal line kept Miami in the game. Ricky Williams is the first choice in the red zone for Miami until they are forced to throw, then TE Randy McMichael becomes Fiedler's preferred target. If he's not already, McMichael is becoming a must start. WR Chris Chambers took a vicious hit to the head in the second quarter and did not return. He appeared coherent on his way to the locker room. During the game it was reported he suffered a concussion. Denver Broncos: RB Clinton Portis put an end to the debate for good about the possibility of a RBBC situation in Denver. He had 24 touches in the game compared to 7 for Anderson and 0 for Gary. Denver out gained Miami 410 to 259 yards in the game. The Denver offense moved the ball very well into Miami territory all night, but couldn't finish drives with TD's settling for FGs. The overall feel was much like Denver's other loss to Baltimore. They put up lots of yards and not enough points. The Denver defense is for real. When your RB has to face Denver, you might want to look to your bench. Brian Griese recovered well from his gaffe that resulted in an INT return for a TD. He led Denver down the field for what appeared to be the two winning scores before Mare sucked the wind out of Mile High Stadium. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Miami Dolphins QB: Jay Fiedler: 19-29-210 (1 INT). Fiedler managed a decent game. He made two mistakes that cost him (fumble and INT), but it wasn't enough to lose the game. The way Denver was stacking the line it would have been a no-brainer to go deep a few times, but with Chris Chambers out Miami chose to try and pound Williams unsuccessfully. You also have to respect a guy who finishes the game with a broken thumb. RB: Ricky Williams: 20-49 yards rushing (2 TD) 4-30 yards receiving (4 targets). Williams gained 0 or negative yards many times on the evening. He took a pounding, but responded well in the red zone. On a few occasions, when he had some daylight, he exploded quickly into holes and plowed for extra yardage. WR: Chris Chambers: 0-0 yards receiving (3 targets). Chambers took a huge hit to the head late in the second quarter. He did not return and early word is that it was a concussion. Oronde Gadsden: 5-77 yards receiving (6 targets). Gadsden made several big plays on Miami's first TD drive. Even with Chambers out of the game Gadsden was only targeted 2 times in the second half. Dedric Ward chipped in with 2 second half catches as well. TE: Randy McMichael: 5-62 yards receiving (8 targets). McMichael is quickly becoming Fiedler's favorite target. Late in the game when Miami needed to move the ball into FG range for the game winner, McMichael dropped two balls. However, Fiedler went right back to him and McMichael delivered with a huge reception to move the sticks and keep the drive alive. Pass Defense: They gave up 321 yards to Griese, but kept him out of the end zone until the fourth quarter. Surtain's INT return for a TD was a huge play. Griese was sacked 3 times in the game. Rush Defense: Denver totaled 111 yards on 26 carries (4.3 ypc). You could argue in Miami's favor that they forced two goal line fumbles, but both were a case of Portis and Anderson not securing the ball before plunging into the line. Special Teams: Minor and Ward each popped a long return in the game. Olindo Mare was one for two on the night hitting the 53 yard FG to win the game. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Denver Broncos QB: Brian Griese: 26-45-321 (1 TD 2 INT) 3-19 yards rushing. Griese managed a decent game until two INTs in the third quarter may have handed the game to Miami. To his credit he brought Denver back with two scoring drives to recapture the lead in the fourth quarter. RB: Clinton Portis: 18-75 yard rushing 6-67 yards receiving (7 targets). Portis had 6 touches during the first series of Denver offensive plays. Anderson spelled him after this early flurry, but Portis returned quickly. He did have a fumble at the goal line, but so did Anderson on the very next play. Olandis Gary: Was he ever on the field? 0 carries, 0 targets. No mention of injury during the game. He simply didn't get any touches this week. Mike Anderson: 5-17 yards rushing 2-53 yards receiving (TD, 4 targets). Anderson played the role of a FB in this game. He spelled Portis when he needed a breather and caught a few balls out of the backfield including a TD. He was given a goal line carry immediately after a Portis fumble, but he also fumbled. WR: Rod Smith: 9-88 yards receiving (17 targets). Smith and McCaffrey had to deal with Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain. Both are physical shutdown corners that kept the Denver WRs in check most of the night. The long pass play to either WR was only 22 yards. Ed McCaffrey: 5-61 yards receiving (6 targets). See Smith. Ashley Lelie: 2-41 yards receiving (2 targets). With the game on the line Lelie had a chance to shine. Both catches were in the fourth quarter. His second catch was for 30 yards that put Denver in FG range to take the lead. TE: Shannon Sharpe: 3-25 yards receiving (7 targets). Sharpe didn't have much impact on the game, but he did get an end zone target late in the game just before the Mike Anderson TD. This play drew a pass interference flag that gave Denver first and goal at the one yard line. Pass Defense: Denver put mild pressure on Fiedler though the game. They recorded two sacks and one INT. John Mobley let the game slip through his fingers literally. He had two balls hit him in the hands that he couldn't pull down. Rush Defense: The Denver front seven are tough. Just like every other game this year they shut down a big name RB. They allowed only 67 yards total rushing in the game and a long of only 16 yards on an end around to James McNight. Special Teams: Kevin Kasper returned the opening kickoff across midfield to set up Elam's first FG, but this was offset by long kick and punt returns that Denver allowed to Minor and Ward. Elam was 5 for 5 on the night. He also hit what would have been a 49 yard FG that was nullified at the half by penalty.