Because for most of Sunday's sloppy 16-12 victory over the St . Louis Rams inside a library-quiet Edward Jones Dome, it seemed as if both teams were still suffering from post-Thanksgiving lethargy.

To borrow Sparano's favorite expression, "at the end of the day," the Dolphins found a way to win with a bend-but-not-break defense, instead of finding a way to lose like they did last year when they lost six games by three points or fewer.

This is the Dolphins' third win by four points or fewer in the last month, including two over bottom-feeders Seattle and Oakland.

"Last year that was us," said defensive end Vonnie Holliday, pointing to the Rams (2-10), losers of six in a row. "That was us in tight games. ... I know what that feels like, so for us to be sitting here moping around talking about an ugly win ... When does a win become ugly for me after last year?"

Not even the Wildcat offense worked against the Rams' 30th-ranked defense, but the Dolphins are alive for a wild card or even an AFC East crown after losses by the Jets (8-4), Patriots (7-5) and Bills (6-6) let Miami (7-5) creep back within a game of first place. If they win their remaining four games, they'll win the division.

They'll play the Bills next Sunday without guard Justin Smiley, who broke his leg in the first quarter.

The Dolphins were able to overcome a season-high 10 penalties for 94 yards while allowing St. Louis to convert 7 of 14 third downs by snatching three second-half interceptions against QB Marc Bulger.

"Our No. 1 goal was to start fast," cornerback Andr? Goodman said. The Rams had been outscored 123-13 in their past four first halves. "We were flat into the third quarter until Akin [Ayodele] got his hands on the ball. But outside of the way the game ended, I can't say we're proud of the way the game went. Honestly, we're 7-5 with a shot at the playoffs."

Both offenses treated their red zone as if it were radioactive and combined for seven field goals, three by Dolphins rookie Dan Carpenter. The Dolphins led just 10-9 at halftime, partly thanks to a 91-yard touchdown drive that ended in a 3-yard run by Ronnie Brown after he spun off a vicious hit by linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa.

"In a sense we might've played down with the crowd, the atmosphere, knowing we're playing against a 2-9 team. I don't want to say we intentionally did but subconsciously we might've," said Ayodele, whose interception in the third quarter seemed to energize his teammates.

Safety Renaldo Hill stifled another Rams drive in the fourth quarter when he stepped into the passing lane, but St. Louis got the ball back on the Dolphins' 25 with no timeouts and 1:50 remaining.

Bulger nickel-and-dimed his way to the 47 with 47 seconds left when he heaved it deep to receiver Derek Stanley.

Goodman came down with the pick, and the Dolphins got the win.

"Everybody was hyped up and ready to play, and it was like the dead zone," nose tackle Jason Ferguson said. " 'Can you hear me now?' is how it felt. It's hard to win in this league every Sunday, so you get a win you just take it, appreciate it and let's move on."