Dolphins, Bucs Blanked

All Tampa Bay and Miami had to do to make the playoffs was win on Sunday.

Those “splats” you heard were the eggs they laid on the road - by a combined score of 72-0.

A month ago, Indianapolis was worried about going winless for the season. On Sunday, the Colts routed the Dolphins 41-0, Miami’s first shutout loss in 10 years and one of the worst performances of Dan Marino’s career.

A win by the Buccaneers at the Meadowlands would have clinched their first playoff berth since 1982, eliminated the New York Jets and assured postseason spots for the Dolphins and New England. Instead, the Jets beat Tampa Bay 31-0, setting up a Patriots-Dolphins showdown next Monday for the AFC East title.

The Bucs clinched a playoff berth later in the day when Carolina lost to Green Bay.

The Jets, by staying alive with their rousing victory, still need to win next Sunday to make the playoffs. The Lions would clinch a berth of their own with a victory at home over the Jets.

The only team that managed to clinch a postseason spot with a victory was Jacksonville, which defeated Buffalo 20-14.

Colts 41, Dolphins 0

Jim Harbaugh passed for 255 yards and a career-best four touchdowns, three of them to tight end Ken Dilger, for the Colts (3-12).

“I’ve never had four touchdown passes, in high school, college, peewee, or pro,” Harbaugh said. “I wouldn’t say it’s the most satisfying game I’ve ever had, but … it’s right up there.”

Indianapolis scored on every first-half possession, sacked Marino twice and forced him to fumble twice deep in Miami territory. Both turnovers led to Indianapolis scores.

Marino managed only 71 yards passing, the second-worst game of his 15-year NFL career, and the shutout was the Dolphins’ first since a 27-0 loss at Buffalo in 1987, a span of 162 games.

Jets 31, Buccaneers 0

Otis Smith returned interceptions 45 and 51 yards for touchdowns and rookie Leon Johnson added a 101-yard kickoff return to open the second half as the Jets stayed alive in the playoff race and clinched at least a tie for the biggest turnaround in league history. They were 1-15 last year.

The Bucs looked like anything but the team that led Pro Bowl voting with seven selections. They generated only 111 yards on offense, 21 passing.

Jaguars 20, Bills 14

Mark Brunell threw for 317 yards and ran for a 13-yard touchdown as Jacksonville clinched a postseason spot by winning at Buffalo.

The Jaguars had a 17-3 lead before Buffalo closed to 17-14 in the fourth quarter on Antowain Smith’s 1-yard touchdown with 8:03 remaining and Alex Van Pelt’s 2-point conversion pass to Eric Moulds.

Lions 14, Vikings 13

Herman Moore’s 1-yard touchdown catch with three seconds remaining rallied Detroit to a road victory that kept its playoff hopes alive.

The Lions won for the fourth time in five games, while the Vikings, who missed a chance to put the game away when Eddie Murray missed a 37-yard field goal with 1:56 to play, have lost five straight. But they still can reach the playoffs by beating Indianapolis at home next weekend.

Barry Sanders had his 13th consecutive 100-yard game for Detroit, carrying 19 times for 138 yards. That left him 131 short of becoming the third player in NFL history to reach 2,000.

Falcons 20, Eagles 17

Atlanta won its fifth straight game, beating visiting Philadelphia on Morten Andersen’s 33-yard field goal as time ran out.

Despite the win, Atlanta was eliminated from the playoffs when Detroit won. The Falcons still have a chance to become the only team other than the 1984 Packers to finish with a .500 record after starting 1-7.

Philadelphia lost its second straight to end its playoff hopes.

Bengals 31, Cowboys 24

Boomer Esiason threw two touchdown passes as host Cincinnati overcame a 10-0 deficit to score 31 consecutive points, then held on.

Dallas, which will miss the playoffs after a run of six straight appearances, will finish with its first losing record since 1990.

Packers 31, Panthers 10

Brett Favre threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay’s fourth consecutive victory.

The visiting Packers had already wrapped up their third consecutive NFC Central title and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Chiefs 29, Chargers 7

In San Diego, Kansas City won its fifth straight game, moving to the verge of the AFC West title and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

Marcus Allen ran for one touchdown, Rich Gannon threw for one, Derrick Thomas buried Todd Philcox in the end zone for a safety and Mark McMillian returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown.

Ravens 21, Oilers 19

Eric Zeier threw a career-high three touchdown passes for host Baltimore in the final NFL game at 43-year-old Memorial Stadium.

Saints 27, Cardinals 10

Billy Joe Hobert, who completed just two of nine passes for 9 yards in the first half, was 12-of-15 for 243 yards and three touchdowns in the second as host New Orleans scored 24 consecutive points against Arizona.

Bears 13, Rams 10

In St. Louis, two of the NFL’s worst teams showed on national TV how they got that way.

Jeff Jaeger hit two chip-shot field goals in the final 5:08 as Chicago overcame five turnovers.

The Rams also turned the ball over five times, including two fumbles by QB Tony Banks to give him an NFL-leading 17.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SUNDAY’S BEST Quarterbacks Mark Brunell 24-31-317-0-1 Jeff George 21-31-274-3-0 Brett Favre 18-34-256-3-1 Jim Harbaugh 20-26-255-4-0

Running backs Barry Sanders 19-138-0 Eddie George 26-129-0 Corey Dillon 26-127-1

Receivers Antonio Freeman 10-166-2 Randall Hill 5-124-1 Darnay Scott 4-112-1