Dolphins Still Clicking, 41-27 : AFC: Even without Marino, Miami has no trouble beating Colts.

MIAMI — Even without their first-string quarterback, the Miami Dolphins played a complete game.

Spirited defense, breakaway runs, trickery and a poised replacement for injured Dan Marino all contributed to the Dolphins’ 41-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night.

With Scott Mitchell at quarterback in his first NFL start, Miami posted its largest point total since 1987.

For the moment, at least, the Dolphins quieted speculation that they can’t reach the Super Bowl without Marino. Miami won its fourth in a row, improved to 5-1 and remained tied with Buffalo for first place in the AFC East.

Indianapolis fell to 2-4 with its third consecutive loss.

Rookies Terry Kirby and O.J. McDuffie scored their first NFL touchdowns, Kirby on a 44-yard pass play and McDuffie on a 71-yard punt return, as Miami raced to a 17-0 first-quarter lead.

Fullback Keith Byars fooled the Colts with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Irving Fryar. Mark Higgs rushed for 114 yards in 17 carries, while Kirby gained 50 yards in 10 carries and scored on a 14-yard run.

Miami’s defense did the rest, forcing four turnovers, including Louis Oliver’s 56-yard interception return in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

“We had something to prove tonight, and I think we did a good job of getting our point across,” Fryar said.

The Dolphins sacked Jeff George four times--including on three consecutive plays. Indianapolis had given up an NFL-low three sacks in its first five games.

Mitchell lost a fumble, but completed 12 of 19 passes for 190 yards as a replacement for Marino, who is sidelined for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Marino watched from the press box and later from the sidelines, and when he was shown on the scoreboard during a timeout, the crowd responded with a standing ovation.

George threw touchdown passes of six yards to Reggie Langhorne and three yards to Rodney Culver, who also scored on two short runs. Two of the touchdowns came in the final 10 minutes after Miami led, 34-13.

George completed 27 of 44 passes for 260 yards, with three interceptions.

McDuffie gave the Dolpins a 10-0 lead after fielding Rohn Stark’s punt, breaking into the open, hurdling Anthony Johnson at the Miami 40-yard line, and racing down the left sideline.