The Miami Dolphins have risen from the ashes of a 1-15 season, in a matter of 1 year, to finish the 2008 season 11-5 and win the AFC East. The Dolphins took care of business against the Jets yesterday winning 24-17, sending the Dolphins to the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons.

After a scoreless 1st quarter, the Jets struck first going up 6-0 on a Brett Favre TD pass, but failed a 2pt conversion. The Dolphins would answer back as Chad Pennington connected with Ted Ginn Jr on a 27yd TD pass to go ahead 7-6. 15 seconds later Philip Merling would intercept a Favre pass and take it to the house to extend the Dolphins’ lead to 14-6. A Jets FG at the end of the half made the Dolphins’ halftime lead 14-9.

The Jets would briefly take the lead in the 3rd quarter on a 10yd TD rush to go up 17-14. Pennington would put the Dolphins ahead for good when he hooked up with TE Anthony Fasano for a 20yd TD pass, giving the Dolphins a 21-17 lead. A Dan Carpenter FG in the 4th would give the Dolphins a 24-17 lead.

The Dolphins’ victory on Sunday was sweet in so many ways, it is nearly impossible to list them all. The Dolphins joined the 1999 Indianapolis Colts as the only teams in NFL history to see a 10 game improvement in their record and make the playoffs one season after a dismal record. Chad Pennington, who was dumped by the New York Jets in August when Favre arrived, led his new team into his old team’s stadium and took the AFC East crown (and a playoff spot) away from them.

A huge congratulations has to go out to coach Tony Sparano and his staff, Parcells, and the players for doing what no one thought they could possibly do this season. The Dolphins will host the 11-5 Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.