Dolphins in play-offs

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

The Miami Dolphins stayed on course to become the first team to contest a Super Bowl on home ground, when their 45-28 defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs secured their progress to this year's play-offs.

Dan Marino, the Dolphins quarterback, threw for a couple of touchdowns, and ran for another, while the running back Bernie Parmalee ran for 127 yards. The score was 14-14 at half-time, but Miami scored 21 points in a decisive third quarter. It is the third time the Dolphins have made the play-offs since 1985.

The Chiefs, who were again without Joe Montana, have now lost four of their last five games and are in danger of missing the play-offs despite beginning the season with three victories. Montana is expected to return next week against the Houston Oilers.

Jimmy Johnson, who guided the Dallas Cowboys to victories in the last two Super Bowls, will announce his intentions for next season live on television this Sunday. Johnson, who has become a commentator for Fox Sports having left the Cowboys in April, is the most sought-after coach in the NFL. He is thought to have narrowed his options to either spending another year in the commenary booth, or coaching the Philadelphia Eagles.