MIAMI (AP) – Ricky Williams showed he can still thrive in a workhorse role.

With his best performance since returning from a one-year retirement, Williams rushed for 172 yards and helped the Miami Dolphins cap a perfect December by beating the Tennessee Titans 24-10 Saturday.

The Dolphins (8-7), eliminated from playoff contention last week, have won five in a row for the first time since 1999. They went 4-0 in December under first-year coach Nick Saban, finishing the month unbeaten for the first time in 20 years.

The Titans (4-11) matched last season’s loss total with one game still to go. They lost quarterback Steve McNair in the second quarter because of a strained pectoral muscle.

Williams carried a season-high 26 times in his first 100-yard effort since 2003. His workload was heavier than previously this season because starting running back Ronnie Brown was inactive due to knee and ankle injuries.

Nursing a 17-10 lead with less than 21/2 minutes left, Miami put the game in Williams’ hands. He broke loose for a season-best 35-yard run and scored on a 19-yard run to clinch the win.

Teammate Chris Chambers caught touchdown passes of 11 and 7 yards and surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in a season for the first time in his five-year career. He made five receptions for 51 yards and has scored in each of the past four games.

Tennessee’s only touchdown came on a 55-yard pass from Billy Volek to Drew Bennett.

Otherwise, Volek struggled against a heavy pass rush, finishing 14-of-24 for 132 yards. He was sacked four times and lost his helmet as he threw an incompletion when hit by blitzing cornerback Reggie Howard.

McNair went 5-for-13 for 34 yards, and his final two throws were intercepted. Volek lost a fumble on a sack after the Titans reached the Miami 3-yard line on the first series of the second half.

Despite the Dolphins’ fast finish, their bandwagon has yet to overflow. Announced attendance was a sellout of 72,001, but the stands were half empty for the Christmas Eve game.

Tank Williams recovered Gus Frerotte’s fumble to give Tennessee a first down at the Miami 10, but three plays later the Titans settled for a 24-yard field goal by Rob Bironas and their only lead at 3-0.

Miami took advantage of a turnover to pull even. When the Titans’ Ben Troupe attempted a one-handed catch, the ball deflected to linebacker Donnie Spragan, setting up Olindo Mare’s 25-yard field goal.

McNair’s next pass was also intercepted, by Sam Madison, and Miami then mounted a 61-yard drive capped by Chambers’ 11-yard touchdown reception.

Following a punt, the Dolphins moved 48 yards in the final 1:43 of the half for another score. Chambers’ second TD made it 17-3 at halftime.

Frerotte, a 12-year pro, tied his career high of 17 touchdown passes. He finished 14-for-30 for 151 yards.

AP-ES-12-24-05 1628EST