Dolphins finish with a kick
Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne was nearly the goat Sunday, then became a hero.

A terrible throw by Henne set up Tampa Bay for a go ahead touchdown with just 74 seconds left. But Henne showed off his hose — one of the league's strongest — on a pair of subsequent passes to Davone Bess. One sideline route was as difficult a pass completed all day in the NFL. Ricky Williams then broke loose for a 27-yard run and the Dolphins got a season-saving field goal to win 25-23.

Sunday was not Miami’s best effort. But after a 0-3 start, the Dolphins are good enough to hang around in the AFC playoff race.

Panthers have clawed back
Carolina’s defense has improved as much as any unit in football. The Panthers are only one game out of the last NFC wild-card spot. They face Miami in a knockout game Thursday — winner keeps hope alive for a miracle playoff berth.

Not Packing it in
What a difference a defensive masterpiece can make. After Green Bay’s win Sunday, the Packers are tied for the last wild-card spot in the NFC.

The Packers will be favored in their next two games over San Francisco and Detroit and still have their whole season in front of them. Aaron Rodgers was sacked “only” four times Sunday, which qualifies as progress.

Seahawks = sunk
Seattle legitimately had a chance to be a part of the NFC West race before Sunday. That chance has passed.

Slideshow   Week 17 action Take a look at shots from the NFL's 17th week of play in 2009. NBCSports.com

A win in Arizona would have put three teams within one game in the division, but the Seahawks couldn’t hold on to an early 14-0 lead and a 20-17 fourth quarter margin. The Cardinals have flaws, but the passing attack has grown more explosive during the year. They are a better team, at least in the regular season, than the 2008 Cardinals.

NFC Least
It’s safe to say we overrated the NFC East. The Cowboys lost in Green Bay, and the Eagles lost in San Diego Sunday. The Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants have combined for a 1-7 against winning teams outside of the division. (Dallas beat Atlanta two weeks ago.)

Rivers is the man
LaDainian Tomlinson will deservedly get the headlines for his big day on the ground, and the outstanding news about his pregnant wife. But let’s be honest: this is Philip Rivers’ team. His performance against Philadelphia’s suddenly thin secondary was nearly flawless. Rivers threw only five incompletions in 25 attempts to go with 231 yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers have won four straight and have buttoned up its rush defense problem. With the way Rivers is playing, San Diego could be a player in the AFC postseason.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 3 games JETS 31, DOLPHINS 23: Edwards returns to makes key TD catch  |    Highlights COWBOYS 27, TEXANS 13: Dallas avoids rare 0-3 start  |    Romo excited FALCONS 27, SAINTS 24, OT: Champs miss short FG in OT  |    Saints explain loss TITANS 29, GIANTS 10: Johnson scores 2 TDs  |    Coughlin takes blame EAGLES 28, JAGUARS 3: Vick makes Reid's decision look great  |    QB thrilled COLTS 27, BRONCOS 13: Manning throws 3 TD passes VIKINGS 24, LIONS 10: Peterson's career-long 80-yard TD keys win PATRIOTS 38, BILLS 30: 14th straight win in series for New England SEAHAWKS 27, CHARGERS 20: Washington has two kickoff returns for TDs CHIEFS 31, 49ERS 10: K.C. 3-0 for first time since '03  |    Chiefs confident STEELERS 38, BUCCANEERS 13: Batch shines in first start in 3 years RAMS 30, REDSKINS 16: Only second win in last 29 games for St. Louis RAVENS 24, BROWNS 17: Flacco fires 3 TD passes BENGALS 20, PANTHERS 7: Clausen struggles in first NFL start CARDINALS 24, RAIDERS 23: Janikowski misses 32-yard FG on final play