MIAMI (Dec. 3, 2006) -- David Garrard scrambled to his right, reversed his field, retreated and found himself 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage looking in vain for an open receiver.
Even then, the Miami Dolphins failed to stop him.
As usual, Garrard did his best work on the run Sunday, throwing for 229 yards and two scores to help the Jacksonville Jaguars beat Miami 24-10.
"We felt we had a chance to put the ball up and make some big plays," Garrard said. "I feel as long as I keep moving, I have a chance to find somebody open and get the ball downfield."
Jacksonville (7-5) earned only its second road win this year to remain in the thick of the AFC wild-card race.
"The critics say we can't win on the road," cornerback Rashean Mathis said. "Maybe this will do a lot to silence them."
Jacksonville ended a four-game winning streak by the Dolphins (5-7), likely ensuring they'll miss the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.
"It's disappointing to all of us," Miami coach Nick Saban said.
Garrard led Jacksonville on touchdown drives of 95 and 91 yards, while Miami's Joey Harrington threw two costly interceptions and was sacked four times.
Poor tackling also hurt the Dolphins, who geared to stop the run but still gave up 150 yards on the ground. Maurice Jones-Drew broke three tackles on a 32-yard touchdown run -- the rookie's ninth score.
"I kept my head down and kept going," Drew said. "Once I saw a little opening, I didn't give up."
Garrard was sacked four times, but completed 16 of 22 attempts and ran for three first downs. One came when he was forced 15 yards deep to midfield before zigzagging through the defense for a 17-yard gain.
"Anytime the pocket breaks down and the quarterback gets to the edge, the defense eventually will break down," Garrard said. "They're more concerned about keeping up with their man, and sometimes it's hard for them to see what the quarterback is doing."
On the next play, George Wrighster bounced off a defender to score on a 16-yard reception. Matt Jones also caught a touchdown pass and had six receptions for 128 yards.
"Garrard did a good job of scrambling and making throws," Miami linebacker Zach Thomas said. "He creates time for his guys to get open."
The Jaguars built a 24-7 lead, enough to survive a late rally by the Dolphins. After Olindo Mare kicked a 42-yard field goal with 3:45 left, Miami's Chris Chambers recovered an onside kick.
The Dolphins drove to the 5 before Harrington threw an incompletion on fourth down with 1:41 to go.
Jacksonville fell behind 7-0 but scored two touchdowns in the final 1:50 of the first half to go ahead 17-7.
Garrard threw two completions with defensive end Jason Taylor in his face during a season-best 95-yard drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown catch on third down by Jones.
Three plays later, Mathis made his seventh interception.
"We probably should have run out the clock," Saban said. "We probably weren't smart in that situation."
Taylor hurt his left wrist with three minutes left in the half and went to the locker room with his team leading 7-3. X-rays were negative, and Taylor returned for the start of the second half.
But by then, the Jaguars had a 10-point lead.
"It was a little bit of a different game when I came back out," Taylor said.
On the game's first possession, Harrington went 7-for-8, including three completions on third down, and Marty Booker capped a 14-play march with a 17-yard touchdown catch.
The Dolphins threatened when Harrington hit Chambers for 46 yards to the 9. But on third down at the 5, Harrington's pass was deflected in the end zone, and Gerald Sensabaugh intercepted.
"In hindsight, I should have thrown it out of the back of the end zone," Harrington said.
Mare drew boos when he was wide left on a 42-yard field-goal try, his 10th miss this year, a career high.
Notes: Miami's Sammy Morris, making his first start this season, rushed for 47 yards in 12 carries. ... Former All-Pro safety Dick Anderson became the 16th member of the Dolphins' Honor Roll. ... Dolphins receiver Chris Chambers gained a season-high 121 yards on eight catches. ... The Jaguars are 8-2 in their past 10 games played later than November.
