NFL: Don't write off Williams or Miami yet

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ricky Williams is 32 and far from done. And even without Ronnie Brown, the Miami Dolphins are back in the playoff picture.

Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three touchdowns, and the Dolphins beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 on Thursday night for their fourth win in six games. Written off after an 0-3 start, the Dolphins (5-5) are back in the playoff hunt.

Williams, the 2002 NFL rushing champion, had a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game for the first time in his career.

"Coach always talks about finishing," Williams said. "Sometimes in this league, in a physical game, it's difficult to finish. I think in the past we've prided ourselves on finishing games and we did a good job tonight."

It was enough to beat the Panthers (4-6) when Jake Delhomme's desperation pass into the end zone was knocked down as time expired.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 122 yards, but Delhomme had his streak of three games without an interception snapped, then couldn't lead a late comeback bid.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano hinted his team might abandon the wildcat without Brown, who was placed on injured reserve because of a foot injury. And Miami didn't use the formation until the second quarter. It coincided with the Dolphins' first TD drive — Chad Henne's 14-yard pass to Williams, who wrestled the ball away from linebacker Na'il Diggs.

Miami took a 14-3 halftime lead when Williams took the direct snap at the 1 and got to the end zone ahead of speedy linebacker Jon Beason.

Williams also caught two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.