[Author's Note: Sorry this is a day late.  Had some internet issues yesterday]

Oh, Thursday night how I love you.  What a great night Thursday night was.  Climbing to .500, the Miami Dolphins made a statement has thrust them into the middle of the AFC Wildcard race, as well as kept them in the hunt for the Division title. 

Think about it.  Next week, the Dolphins play the Bills.  With this team, playing this way, the Dolphins should leave Buffalo with a win.  The Patriots are playing the Saints next week in what should be a great game, and one the Patriots could lose.  So, let's say the Saints stay undefeated (the Saints losing their quest for a Perfect Season is the ONLY good thing that could come out of the Patriots winning).  Suddenly, the Dolphins are one game back from the AFC East lead. 

And, who do the Dolphins play the following week?  Oh, that's right.  The Patriots, in Miami - on Sunday afternoon.  Apparently a game for the AFC East lead is too pedantic and is not as appealing as a Vikings/Cardinals matchup for NBC.  Guessing this has a little to do with Brett Favre.

What a critical couple of weeks this will be.

But, before we start looking ahead, let's go back and look at the award-worthy performances from last Thursday.

1-yard Game Ball. Ted Ginn, Jr and Chad Henne.  It wasn't a great game for Teddy, but it was a solid game.  He caught 4 passes for 32-yards.  Nothing spectacular, but it seemed like Teddy discovered Stick'em or something.  I'll give him this Game Ball simply because, for once, we don't really have a reason to criticize him.  Henne picks up a yard this week for doing exactly what was asked of him.  He finished the game 17-for-29 for 172 yards and 1 touchdown.

2-yard Game Ball. Channing Crowder and Randy Starks.  Crowder stepped up again this week - totaling 5 tackles.  He's not going to be the flashy, dominating LB that his mouth seems to want him to be, but he seems to be finally figuring out his role in the defense.  He's a run stopper, especially now with Jason Ferguson out for the year.  Crowder has to continue to help plug holes so the rest of the defense can stop the runner.  And, Starks just seems to be everywhere, every week.  So, with another sack, Starks picks up another couple of yards.

3-yard Game Ball. Davone Bess.  Bess apparently shared some stick'em with Teddy this week.  Suddenly, Miami's receivers figured out that when Chad Henne throws the ball, he would really appreciate if they caught it.  Bess had 6 receptions for 63-yards, but the highlight was an acrobatic diving catch to convert a first down on 3rd-and-8. 

4-yard Game Ball. Joey Porter.  Maybe being inactivated woke up Joey.  Maybe he finally realized he was not playing like the guy he was last year.  Either way, Peezy showed up this week.  He led the team in tackles with seven, plus an assist.  And, he tallied two sacks.  It's good to see you back Joey! 

5-yard Game Ball. Ricky Williams and the O-Line.  Any doubt here?  Seems like Ricky's name pops up in this spot a lot lately, but I think it's well deserved as well.  Thrust into a starting role he does not really want, Williams showed why he won a Heisman Trophy in 1998 (let that sink in for a second...) and the NFL's Rushing Title in 2002.  He finished the game with 119 yards rushing on 22-carries, a 5.8 yard per attempt average, as well as 2 rushing touchdowns.  He also caught two passes for 19-yards and a touchdown.  It was the first time in his career that Ricky ran for and caught a touchdown in the same game.  I think, even though I would love to have him on the field, the Dolphins will be able to survive the loss of Ronnie Brown so long as Ricky can keep playing like he has so thus far this season.  The o-line gets the 5-yards today for two simple reasons.  The first, 154 yards rushing.  The second - 0 sacks.  Henne's uniform was nice and clean.  I like that.

Sack.  I'm at a loss.  I really have no complaints this week.  I can't come up with anyone to sack this week.  It seemed like every aspect of the team played well.  So, congratulations Dolphins.  Just like in the game, there are no sacks in this week's post.