ESPN NFL

Quarterback isn't the only position where there will be various competitions involving rookies in training camp. Two teams in the AFC East also drafted place kickers on Day 3 of the NFL draft.

The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills picked kickers in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively. The Dolphins selected Florida kicker Caleb Sturgis and Buffalo picked Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins.

Sturgis will compete with Dolphins veteran kicker Dan Carpenter, who struggled at times last season. Carpenter missed five field-goal attempts in 2012 and botched 21 attempts the past three seasons. Carpenter has kicked in Miami for six consecutive seasons, but may have to earn his spot against Sturgis this summer. It's also possible that Carpenter could be a salary-cap casualty for the Dolphins, who spent a lot of money in free agency this offseason.

Meanwhile, veteran kicker Rian Lindell has been a staple in Buffalo for nine seasons. His accuracy remains solid. But at 36, Lindell's leg strength is diminishing. Hopkins comes to Buffalo as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer. Most importantly, Hopkins has a strong leg, which is needed in Buffalo's inclement weather for field goals and kickoffs. Similar to Carpenter, Lindell also could become a salary-cap casualty. But at the very least, Lindell must compete for his job.

Keep an eye on both of these new kicking developments in the AFC East this offseason.

The Miami Dolphins signed veteran kicker Nate Kaeding, the team announced Friday. Incumbent kicker Dan Carpenter was hampered by a groin injury and placed on injured reserve.

Keading is a former two-time Pro Bowl selection with the San Diego Chargers. He will replace Carpenter for the rest of the season.

Miami has been fortunate with injuries all season, but the injury bug is hurting the team in December. In addition to Carpenter, Miami could be without starting wide receivers Davone Bess and/or Brian Hartline, who are dealing with back injuries.

The Dolphins will host the Buffalo Bills Sunday at Sun Life Stadium.

MIAMI -- Here are some thoughts on the Dolphins' 24-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars:

What it means: It means Miami (6-8) won its first game in December and snapped a two-game losing streak. The Dolphins are trying to finish the year strong and continue to progress under a rookie quarterback (Ryan Tannehill) and rookie coach (Joe Philbin). Miami has already matched last year’s win total by beating Jacksonville (2-12) on Sunday with two games remaining.

Henne's rough homecoming: The Dolphins made sure to make Chad Henne's homecoming a rough one. Henne, Miami's second-round pick in 2008, played his former team for the first time and couldn't get in the end zone. Miami's defense knows Henne well and exposed him. He was 18-of-34 for 221 yards in a losing effort. Henne also was sacked twice and led Jacksonville to just three points.

Tannehill solid: Henne's replacement in Miami, Tannehill, played a solid game against the Jaguars. Tannehill made plays with his arms and his legs. He completed 22 of 28 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, Tannehill added 52 rushing yards. The Dolphins appeared willing to let Tannehill use his mobility more in this game. He had several designed runs that caught Jacksonville off-guard.

Fourth-down blues: Overall this was a sloppy game, and that was shown in the fourth-down execution. Jacksonville failed to convert on fourth-and-1 on two occasions, and Miami ran a head-scratching fake field goal in the third quarter. Miami kicker Dan Carpenter lined up for a chip shot, but punter/holder Brandon Fields caught the ball and threw it way out of bounds. The Dolphins could have gone up 10 points at the time. But Jacksonville is so bad that it didn't matter.

What’s next: The Dolphins will return to AFC East play for the remainder of the season. First, Miami will host the Buffalo Bills next weekend at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins will wrap up their 2012 season on the road against the division-champion New England Patriots. Miami lost to both teams in the first meetings.

MIAMI -- A few thoughts on the Dolphins' 17-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

What it means: After a slow 1-3 start, the Dolphins have won two in a row to climb back to .500 (3-3). Miami is overachieving beyond most people's expectations. This is projected to be a rebuilding year with a rookie quarterback, but Miami is a tough out each week and starting to win close games.

Tannehill stands tall: The Rams' defense knows how to get after the quarterback. One week after sacking Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb nine times, St. Louis sacked Dolphins rookie Ryan Tannehill two times and hit him three additional times. But Tannehill stood tall and fought back with 185 yards and two touchdowns passes. Tannehill's passer rating was 112.0.

Third option: All season, the Dolphins have been waiting for a third receiver to step up opposite starters Brian Hartline and Davone Bess. It turns out Marlon Moore finally shows up in Week 6. Moore recorded three receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. Opponents are focusing more on Hartline and Bess that it opens up opportunities for other players like Moore to step up.

Good field-goal karma: This season, it has been the Dolphins' missing key field goals. But that luck changed on Sunday, as the Rams missed two big attempts that were costly in the first half. St. Louis kicker Greg Zuerlein was 2 for 5, and the trio of misses haunted the Rams. Miami kicker Dan Carpenter, who has struggled this season, made his only field-goal attempt.

What's next: The Dolphins have a much-needed bye week to rest and get healthy. Miami will play three of its next four games on the road, and it starts with a big division road game Oct. 28 against the rival New York Jets. New York won the first meeting in a 23-20 overtime thriller in Week 3.

MIAMI -- Dolphins rookie head coach Joe Philbin walked into the postgame news conference appearing to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Philbin knew he made an ill-advised decision that cost the Dolphins in a 23-20 overtime loss to the rival New York Jets.

Philbin attempted to ice Jets kicker Nick Folk in overtime and called a timeout right before the snap. The Dolphins were able to get penetration and block the kick.

Thousands in the crowd and the Dolphins players went wild until they until they realized Philbin called a timeout. Folk nailed his second chance at a 33-yard field goal in a physical game that was virtually gift-wrapped in the end.

"I thought it was the right call," Philbin said of the ill-advised timeout. "I was planning on it all along, to call the timeout right before he kicked the ball."

Dolphins defensive end Jared Odrick was one of several players on the field who thought the blocked kick gave Miami more life. Instead, Odrick was part of a deflated and sullen locker room after the Dolphins fell to 1-2.

"You knew in the back of your head that something like that might happen, but you gotta play the down as hard as you can," Odrick said of the timeout. "Randy [Starks] definitely did that and got in and blocked the kick. It's upsetting, but it’s part of the game in terms of trying to ice the kicker. ... It's tough, but that's the way the cookie crumbles."

It is time to do away with icing the kicker in the NFL, especially right before the snap.

That fad was in a few years ago. But it quickly faded when things like blocked and missed kicks happened. Apparently, Philbin never got the memo and the Dolphins were the latest team to suffer a heartbreaking loss due to a coach outsmarting himself.

Philbin even said that this type of result won't deter him from doing the same thing in future games.

"There may be a different history of a particular kicker that may have us change our mind," Philbin said. "But I would say our position right now is typically we're going to ice the kicker."

The Jets did not try to ice Miami’s kicker. They would have been upset if they did, because Dan Carpenter of the Dolphins missed two crucial kicks that he would love to have back.

The usually-reliable Carpenter flubbed a 48-yard field goal attempt wide left in overtime that could have sealed the win for Miami. The distance was not automatic. But it came after Carpenter shanked another 47-yard field goal attempt wide left.

“They were makeable. I mean, I let the team down,” Carpenter said. “First of all, there shouldn’t have been an overtime. We should never have been there. The team was busting their [expletive], and I just didn’t come through.”

Imagine if Jets head coach Rex Ryan called timeouts on Carpenter’s two misses, especially the one in overtime. Carpenter most likely nails the field goal on the second try, Miami wins, and Ryan is the goat for the following week.

But Ryan had a huge smile on his face after Philbin called a timeout and Folk’s kick was blocked. Ryan’s grin told the story: He knew Philbin made a rookie coaching mistake.

Ryan has been around the block a few times as a head coach. The Jets are now 2-1 and tied for first place in the AFC East. The Dolphins are 1-2 and have two tough road games upcoming against the Arizona Cardinals (3-0) and Cincinnati Bengals (2-1).

"We’ll certainly take the win," Ryan said. "We’re not going to give it back."

These are the kinds of growing pains the Dolphins must live with by going with a rookie head coach. Philbin will have to learn from this, get better and not make the same mistakes.

There were other coaching gaffes by Philbin such as not taking a knee at the end of the first half and running starting tailback Reggie Bush on a meaningless play. Bush, who entered Sunday at the NFL’s second-leading rusher, injured his knee on the play and didn’t return. Philbin did not update Bush's status after the game.

Philbin and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman also could have done a better job to get Carpenter a little closer before his 48-yard attempt by running the ball more.

It’s unfortunate that a very competitive rivalry game came down to two missed kicks and one big coaching error. The Dolphins must find a way to pick up the pieces from a tough Week 3 and not let this emotional loss impact the remainder of their season.

“I think they’re disappointed. Dejected,” Philbin said of the overall mood of the team. “This is a game where division games are important. Home games are important. We talked about winning all of our September 1 o’clock games, building that advantage, so it’s disappointing.”

NEW ORLEANS -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is against the proposed rules to revamp kickoffs.

Belichick, speaking to a small group of reporters at the NFL owners meeting, expressed confusion and dismay over the competition committee's recommendation to move kickoffs up to the 35-yard line from the 30 and spot touchbacks at the 25-yard line instead of the 20.

The competition committee even considered removing kickoffs completely before coming up with this proposal.

"Pretty complicated proposal," Belichick said. "I don't like the idea of eliminating the kickoff from the game. I think it's one of the most exciting plays in football. It looks like the competition committee is trying to eliminate that play. I don't know that's really good for the game."

Safety is believed to be the chief concern, but after attending a presentation Sunday night about the kickoff proposals, Belichick didn't seem to know what the motivation was for change.

The proposal also calls for the ban of all wedge blocks, when multiple players assemble to clear a path for the return man. Wedge blocks result in violent collisions. The NFL adopted a rule that reduced the allowable number of players in a wedge from three to two in 1999.

"From the presentation last night, I don't know that it's because of head injuries," Belichick said. "And the ones they showed, there weren't very many of them. So I don't know. I think you should really talk to the competition committee. They're the ones, really, that proposed the rule.

"There's a lot of components to it, four different elements to it. It's kind of a complicated rule. ... It's pretty confusing. I mean, we're moving the kickoff up and the touchbacks out."

The rule also would help negate Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski as a weapon because he covers more distance than his peers. He averaged 67.9 yards per kickoff last year, fifth in the league, before a thigh injury sidelined him in November. He generated a touchback 35.7 percent of the time, second in the league behind Baltimore Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff.

Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter was next in the AFC East with a 65.8-yard average and 20 percent touchback rate. Buffalo Bills kicker Rian Lindell averaged 63.3 yards and 11.9 percent, and New York Jets kicker Nick Folk was at 62.0 yards and 8.6 percent.

The extra 5 yards will do them -- and their coverage units -- wonders.

ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton calculated how much the different spots would impact the game and figured the number of kickoffs last year that would have been touchbacks under the proposal would've risen from 416 to about 800.

Sports labor squabbles often are described as billionaires arguing with millionaires over money.

While that's a catchy rhyme that sums up fan frustration, the phrase is not entirely true.

Inspired by a blog entry from the minister of all things AFC South, Paul Kuharsky, I looked at NFL Players Association files to count up the number of AFC East players scheduled for $1 million base salaries in 2011.

Granted, up-front bonuses and incentives can make base salaries misleading. But base salaries are the only figures that create a common ground, player for player.

You'll see a vast majority of NFL players make much less than $1 million a year. Although many will make seven figures before they walk away from the game, careers are short and treacherous. They'll never see that kind of cash again for the rest of their lives.

That's why they're fighting for every dollar now.

Of the 226 players under contract in the AFC East, only 62 of them (27.4 percent) will make base salaries of $1 million or more.

The NFLPA hasn't acknowledged any franchise tags that have been signed. Those players are marked with an asterisk and not factored into the totals.

Buffalo Bills

• Receiver Lee Evans, $3.275 million
• Cornerback Terrence McGee, $3.2 million
• Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, $3.195 million
• Defensive end Spencer Johnson, $3 million
• Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, $2.75 million
• Defensive end Dwan Edwards, $2.6 million
• Center Geoff Hangartner, $2.55 million
• Outside linebacker Chris Kelsay, $2 million
• Running back Fred Jackson, $1.75 million
• Defensive lineman Kyle Williams, $1.75 million
• Kicker Rian Lindell, $1.45 million
• Punter Brian Moorman, $1.425 million
• Cornerback Reggie Corner, $1.2 million
• Receiver Steve Johnson, $1.2 million
• Safety Bryan Scott, $1.15 million
• Linebacker Andra Davis, $1.1 million
• Receiver Roscoe Parrish, $1.025 million
• Safety George Wilson, $1.025 million
• Cornerback Leodis McKelvin, $1 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 19

Players under contract: 54

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 35.2

Miami Dolphins

• Nose tackle Paul Soliai, $12.47 million*
• Tackle Jake Long, $11.2 million
• Receiver Brandon Marshall, $6.5 million
• Tackle Vernon Carey, $4.15 million
• Safety Yeremiah Bell, $3.7 million
• Defensive end Randy Starks, $3.625 million
• Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, $2.7 million
• Inside linebacker Channing Crowder, $2.5 million
• Tight end Anthony Fasano, $1.9 million
• Cornerback Benny Sapp, $1.9 million
• Inside linebacker Tim Dobbins, $1.7 million
• Cornerback Will Allen, $1.5 million
• Safety Tyrone Culver, $1.25 million
• Fullback Lousaka Polite, $1.25 million
• Receiver Davone Bess, $1.013 million
• Kicker Dan Carpenter, $1.005 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 15

Players under contract: 55

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 27.3

New England Patriots

• Quarterback Tom Brady, $5.75 million
• Cornerback Leigh Bodden, $3.9 million
• Tackle Nick Kaczur, $3.4 million
• Defensive end Ty Warren, $3.1 million
• Center Dan Koppen, $2.9 million
• Safety James Sanders, $2.8 million
• Tight end Alge Crumpler, $2.4 million
• Outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, $2.3 million
• Receiver Deion Branch, $2.2 million
• Receiver Wes Welker, $2.15 million
• Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, $1.7 million
• Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, $1.2 million
• Offensive lineman Dan Connolly, $1.025 million
• Inside linebacker Gary Guyton, $1 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 14

Players under contract: 60

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 23.3

New York Jets

• Quarterback Mark Sanchez, $14.75 million
• Inside linebacker David Harris, $10.1 million*
• Cornerback Darrelle Revis, $6 million
• Tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, $5.615 million
• Inside linebacker Bart Scott, $4.9 million
• Outside linebacker Calvin Pace, $3.855 million
• Outside linebacker Bryan Thomas, $3.2 million
• Guard Brandon Moore, $2.75 million
• Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, $2.425 million
• Center Nick Mangold, $2.26 million
• Defensive end Mike DeVito, $2.125 million
• Safety Jim Leonhard, $1.95 million
• Receiver Jerricho Cotchery, $1.8 million
• Defensive tackle Sione Pouha, $1.28 million
• Quarterback Mark Brunell, $1.25 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 14

Players under contract: 57

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 24.6

Super Bowl week is upon us. Prepare to get bombarded with stats, analysis, anecdotes and obscure storylines about the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.

I won't go out of my way to hammer folks over the head with Super Bowl angles all week, but there's a fitting way to look at ahead to Sunday's showdown in this space.

Regardless of what AFC East team you follow, your boys squared off against both Green Bay and Pittsburgh in the regular season. AFC East cross-divisional opponents for 2010 were the AFC North and NFC North. They played each other nine times.

The Steelers went 3-2 against the AFC East, including their AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets. The Packers went 2-2.

The New England Patriots were the only AFC East club to beat both Super Bowl entrants, but the Miami Dolphins came close.

Let's review the games to see if we can find a comfort zone for making a prediction for Super Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Results versus AFC East: Won at Dolphins 23-22; lost to Patriots 39-26; won at Buffalo 19-16 in overtime; lost to Jets 22-17; won over Jets in playoffs 24-19.

What we learned: There are no perfect teams, but the Steelers looked particularly flawed in their games against the AFC East. They Steelers easily could have been swept in the regular season and wouldn't have won the AFC North if not for two lucky breaks against the AFC East's non-playoff teams.

The sloppy Dolphins didn't deserve to win at home in Week 7, but they should have anyway. Ben Roethlisberger appeared to fumble into the end zone in the final minutes and Dolphins outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis appeared to recover. But officials prematurely blew the play dead and didn't follow the fumble as they should have. Video evidence didn't help clarify the sequence, so the Steelers maintained possession and kicked a field goal for the victory.

The Steelers, conversely, didn't deserve to beat the Bills in Week 12 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Steelers were shaky and went into sudden death against one of the league's worst teams. In overtime, Bills receiver Steve Johnson infamously dropped a perfectly thrown Ryan Fitzpatrick bomb in the end zone. The Steelers survived to kick a field goal.

The Steelers lost both of their home games against the AFC East. The Patriots thumped them in Week 10, and the Jets pulled out of a potential nosedive with a Heinz Field victory in Week 15.

Of course, the Steelers rebounded in the playoffs to beat the Jets in the conference title game. The Jets sleepwalked through the first half, but outscored the Steelers 16-0 in the third and fourth quarters before falling short.

Green Bay Packers

Results versus AFC East: Won over Bills 34-7; lost to Dolphins 23-20 in overtime; won at Jets 9-0; lost at Patriots 31-27.

What we learned: Green Bay's games against the AFC East went a little more by the book, but not totally. And one of their losses was mitigated by Aaron Rodgers' absence.

Buffalo still had Trent Edwards at quarterback when Green Bay properly cruised in Week 2. The other game that went (mostly) as expected was a Week 15 loss in Gillette Stadium. Rodgers was out with a concussion against New England, but backup quarterback Matt Flynn still drove Green Bay within 15 yards of victory in the closing moments.

The Packers' other games were a tad peculiar. The Packers lost a thriller to the Dolphins at Lambeau Field in Week 6. Rodgers scored on a fourth-down run from the 1-yard line to send the game into overtime. Dan Carpenter's 44-yard field goal won it.

Two weeks later, the Packers went to the Meadowlands and blanked the Jets in one of the biggest head-scratchers of the year. Neither team scored a touchdown. The Jets' shutout was even worse considering they were coming off their bye week.

Prediction

I'm basing my prediction on what I witnessed throughout the season.

All in all, the Packers looked pretty solid against the AFC East and had a shot to beat the Patriots without Rodgers.

But what stands out even more for me is how wobbly the Steelers looked in all four regular-season games and the second half of the AFC Championship Game. Without two fortuitous bounces, the Steelers would have been swept in the regular season and wouldn't have had a first-round bye.

I can't get that out of my mind when I predict the Packers to win 27-20.

With head coach Tony Sparano's job in the balance, the Miami Dolphins came up small Sunday in Gillette Stadium.

The hodgepodge New England Patriots rested their top two wide receivers and best pass-rushers and shuffled backups in and out of the game throughout. Yet they still dominated the Dolphins 38-7.

The Patriots were up 38-0 with almost seven minutes left in the third quarter. The Dolphins avoided getting skunked when Davone Bess scored with 2:17 to play.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who publicly declared before the season that his team was Super Bowl bound, must be embarrassed.

Ross didn't attend the game and reportedly was out of the country. Sparano, his staff and his players should pray that wherever Ross was they don't show NFL games on television.

The Dolphins were 6-5 and still had hope after Thanksgiving. They lost four of their last five games. The Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions beat them in Sun Life Stadium before the preseason-mode Patriots gave the Dolphins a clear idea how far behind they are in the AFC East.

The Dolphins went 1-7 at home this season, tying their worst record in club history. The only other time they were so bad at home was when they went 1-15 the year before Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland arrived.

Ross didn't hire them. Former football operations boss Bill Parcells did with former owner Wayne Huizenga's consent. Huizenga sold the team shortly thereafter. Parcells supposedly still is with the Dolphins as a consultant, but he cleaned out his office months ago.

Ross put an emphasis on making Sun Life Stadium an entertainment destination from the moment he took over the Dolphins. One measly victory in an arena that was half-full toward the end of the season is unacceptable. And if Sparano can't motivate his players to play with any kind of edge, then how can Ross expect fans to respond at the box office?

The Patriots had nothing to play for Sunday other than tuning up for the postseason. It was like an exhibition for them.

But with jobs on the line, the Dolphins didn't show up.

Miami's offense, defense and special teams were equally disgusting. They gave up big plays all over the field. Their breakdowns were both strategic and mental. Tackling was poor. They committed bad penalties.

Chad Henne threw an interception on the opening drive and had a 29.2 passer rating in the first half. Dan Carpenter missed another field goal, this one from 40 yards. Ricky Williams fumbled, and Ronnie Brown ran six times for 14 yards in what might be the last games as Dolphins for the backfield mates.

Miami went into Week 17 with the third-ranked defense. Even with Wes Welker and Deion Branch not on the field, Tom Brady completed 10 of 16 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

The Dolphins' secondary also got torched by the immortal combo of Brian Hoyer to Brandon Tate for a 42-yard touchdown in the third quarter. One play before the bomb, the Dolphins' defensive line encroached on fourth-and-1.

The Patriots gained 502 yards -- that doesn't include Julian Edelman's 94-yard punt return for a touchdown -- and had the ball for over 36 minutes.

A call from the governor might not even save Sparano after a performance like that, and he has a direct line to Tallahassee. Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll's mother is Florida's new lieutenant governor.

When Ross gets around to examining what transpired Sunday in Gillette Stadium, it very well could be a lethal inspection.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Tony Sparano, Dolphins head coach: On a day ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Bill Cowher is getting itchy to return to the sideline and has Miami ranked highly on his short list of preferred destinations, the Dolphins lost at home to the Bills and fell to 1-6 at Sun Life Stadium. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross predicted his team would play in the upcoming Super Bowl, and while that bit of bravado shouldn't be taken as some sort of guarantee, winning a single home game must embarrass him. With Bill Parcells no longer around to protect his protégé, what's to stop the starry-eyed Ross from mixing up his dull team?

2. C.J. Spiller, Bills running back: The Bills' roster is loaded with contributors who were late-round picks or not drafted at all. Spiller, meanwhile, keeps struggling. Spiller was the ninth overall draft choice and the first back off the board. He ran nine times for 16 yards Sunday against the Dolphins, and that includes one carry for 12 yards. He has 248 rushing yards and is averaging 4.7 yards on 22 catches.

3. Dan Carpenter, Dolphins kicker: He refused to make any excuses after Sunday's three-point loss, but there were two big reasons he missed four field goals. The Dolphins' offense didn't exactly set him up for high-percentage attempts, and winds gusted around 20 mph. Carpenter was wide right from 48 yards, short from 61 yards, wide left from 53 yards and wide right from 48 yards again. But Carpenter did go to the Pro Bowl last year. He can't miss three kicks from 53 and shorter.

RISING

1. Chan Gailey, Bills head coach: The Bills continue to win despite mounting injuries and a roster that seems to get greener by the week. Gailey called a game that allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick to move the ball with a seventh-round pick and three undrafted rookies at receiver. Buffalo's defense also is finding its way. ESPN Stats & Information noted the Bills went into Sunday having allowed an NFL-high 959 rushing yards up the middle, but they let Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown gain 20 yards on nine carries.

2. Patriots cornerbacks: Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington each had a strong game in Sunday night's victory over the Packers. McCourty continued his campaign for defensive rookie of the year with 10 tackles, two for losses and a sack. Arrington returned a third-quarter interception 36 yards for a touchdown.

3. Jets offensive line: LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene had been getting stopped cold for a while, and you couldn't have expected them to do much against the NFL's top-rated run defense. The Steelers went into Week 15 allowing 60.1 rushing yards a game. Tomlinson and Greene found enough room to combine for 89 yards. Mark Sanchez also ran for 15 yards, including a 7-yard bootleg touchdown.

Dan Carpenter wasn't asked to kick any gimmies Sunday for the Miami Dolphins. His attempts were long. The wind was gusting about 20 mph.

And it's tough to get on him for missing all four of his kicks. If not for Carpenter consistently bailing out the Dolphins' moribund offense, the Dolphins' playoff hopes would have died weeks earlier. He was the AFC's special teams player of the month for October.

Still, the Pro Bowl kicker had a miserable afternoon -- one of the worst in the past 30 years for any kicker, as you'll read below. The Dolphins desperately could have used just one field goal in a 17-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Sun Life Stadium.

Carpenter was a Pro Bowler last season. He missed from 48 yards (wide right), 61 yards (short), 53 yards (wide left) and 48 yards (wide right). The last miss came with 1:48 left in the game and the Dolphins in need of three points to maybe force overtime.

Instead, the Dolphins fell to 1-6 at home and had their nominal playoff hopes extinguished. The Bills beat their first opponent with a winning record.

"It hurts knowing that you cost your team and the chance to move on to the playoffs," Carpenter said.

If the Dolphins' offense could move the ball, then Carpenter wouldn't have been asked to kick from a different zip code.

Nevertheless, his performance was epically unsuccessful.

Carpenter was just the second kicker to miss four field goals without making one since 1992. He was the first kicker to miss four field goals in a loss of three points or less since Kris Brown did so on five attempts in 2001.

The Elias Sports Bureau found Mike Cofer in 1991 was the last kicker to miss all four without a conversion in a loss of three points or less.

"I'm going to put the guy out there and let him take his swings," Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said. "He's been kicking great. I've got a lot of confidence in the guy. I felt like he would knock it through on a 44- or 45-yarder. He's made a bushel of those kinds of kicks and farther.

"We wouldn't have a chance to be where we are right now without him, we know that."

The Miami Dolphins thumped the Oakland Raiders 33-17 on Sunday in the Black Hole.

What it means: A great victory is somewhat muted by the fact the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are not losing. The Dolphins are 6-5, but still three games out of the division race. They probably can afford to lose only one of their remaining games to still have a shot at a wild-card berth.

Run attack on track: Ten days after one of the flimsiest rushing performances in Dolphins history, Ricky Williams ran 20 times for 95 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to stamp the victory. Ronnie Brown added 85 yards on 24 carries.

Henne returns: With a big brace on his left knee, quarterback Chad Henne started and played well even though Brandon Marshall (hamstring) could not play. Henne completed 17 of his 30 throws for 307 yards and two touchdowns with one bad interception near the goal line. His touchdowns were to Marlon Moore and running back Patrick Cobbs.

Not-so-special teams: The Dolphins continue to struggle in that phase. Raiders rookie Jacoby Ford returned the opening kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown. Dolphins punt returner Davone Bess did have a 47-yard return though.

Pro Bowl watch: Outside linebacker Cameron Wake added another sack, giving him 10.5 for the season. Dan Carpenter kicked four field goals with a long of 49 yards. Carpenter missed from 51 yards and 49 yards.

What's next: The Cleveland Browns will visit Sun Life Stadium in Week 13.

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 26-10 in M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.

What it means: The Dolphins no longer are kings of the road. They were thoroughly outplayed on both sides of the ball and would've lost by a wider margin had the Ravens not collapsed twice inside the 15-yard line.

Great start squandered: The Dolphins' struggling offense made a statement on their opening possession, driving 75 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown. They didn't score another one. Chad Henne threw three interceptions.

Defensive troubles: Throughout the game, the Dolphins struggled with tackling the Ravens' backs. Cornerback Sean Smith should have had a pick-six in the third quarter but dropped a Joe Flacco pass he broke on perfectly.

Brown out: Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown ran six times for 45 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive. He had one more carry the rest of the first half. He finished with nine runs for 59 yards.

Carpenter's streak ends: Dan Carpenter received the NFL's special teams player of the month honor a few days ago and extended his streak of successful field goal attempts to 14. But he missed from 46 yards early in the fourth quarter on a kick that would have drawn the Dolphins within a touchdown.

What's next: The Dolphins will see Randy Moss' debut with the Tennessee Titans firsthand in Sun Life Stadium.

BALTIMORE -- Looks like a postcard autumn day here at M&T Stadium for the Miami Dolphins' game against the Baltimore Ravens, one of the best matchups of Week 9.

Skies are blue with only a trace of a cloud here or there, but you have to look hard. The Weather Channel forecasts a 51 degree kickoff, with a high of 55 degrees.

But you can't tell how windy a place is by looking at a postcard, and it might be tough for kicker Dan Carpenter to bail out Miami's offense like he has for the past month. Flags atop the upper deck are flapping furiously. Gusts of up to 18 mph are expected.

The Dolphins must get their offense clicking against a Ravens defense that's had their pride hurt and is coming off a bye. The Ravens let the Buffalo Bills score 34 points before winning in overtime two weeks ago. The game before that, the Ravens lost to the New England Patriots in overtime.

It will be a busy afternoon on the AFC East blog. All four teams are in action and playing outside the division with 1 p.m. kickoffs.

All of them are away from home, too. The Bills technically are playing a home game against the Chicago Bears, but the game is in Toronto. The New York Jets are in Detroit, and the Patriots are in Cleveland.

I'll handle the Rapid Reactions from Baltimore, obviously, and Toronto. ESPNNewYork.com reporter Rich Cimini will file from the Jets game. ESPNBoston.com reporter Mike Reiss will file from the Patriots game. So keep an eye out for those blog posts here on the AFC East blog, and be sure to check out their sites.