MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins came out throwing, and for a change, the Green Bay Packers were ready.

Ranked last in the NFL in pass defense, Green Bay intercepted Joey Harrington three times and beat the woeful Dolphins 34-24 Sunday.

Brett Favre threw two touchdown passes, including the clincher to David Martin with six minutes left, and Ahman Green scored on a 70-yard run.

But it was big plays by Green Bay’s beleaguered defense that made the difference. The Packers doubled their season interception total, and the takeaways led to 13 points.

Charles Woodson made his first interception with Green Bay and returned it 23 yards for a score. Interceptions by linebackers Brady Poppinga and Nick Barnett set up a pair of field goals.

Green Bay (2-4) beat the Dolphins in Miami for the first time in seven tries. The last time Green Bay won in South Florida was in Vince Lombardi’s final game as Packers coach in the 1968 Super Bowl against Oakland.

The Dolphins (1-6), who came into the game tied for the NFL lead in losses, dropped their fourth game in a row. The mood was so glum at Dolphin Stadium that some of the most exuberant cheers were by Green Bay fans who chanted “Go, Pack, go!”

Harrington set a Miami regular-season record with 62 passing attempts. He completed 33 for a career-high 414 yards and two touchdowns, but much of the yardage came with the Dolphins trying to play catch-up. Several passes deflected off receivers, including two interceptions.

Woodson put the Packers ahead to stay early in the third quarter when Harrington overthrew tight end Randy McMichael in the flat. McMichael lunged to get one hand on the pass before it deflected to Woodson, who ran untouched to the end zone to put Green Bay ahead 13-10.

McMichael also failed to catch a pass that deflected off his chest to Barnett.

A replay overrule gave the Packers their second touchdown on a 34-yard pass from Favre to Donald Driver. An official initially ruled that Driver failed to maintain possession as he rolled in the end zone with two defenders.

When the reversal was announced, putting Green Bay ahead 20-10, a gleeful Favre lifted Driver over his shoulder on the sideline in celebration.

Green broke into the clear on a simple off-tackle play and outran the secondary to make it 27-16. The Dolphins responded with their best drive of the day, moving 80 yards for rookie Derek Hagan’s first NFL touchdown on a 13-yard reception with 12 minutes left.

Harrington hit Marty Booker with a 2-point conversion pass to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But Green Bay sealed the victory with an 11-play, 80-yard drive. It included an end-around by Driver on fourth-and-1 for 6 yards before Favre hit Martin with a 13-yard score.

Green Bay’s Dave Rayner kicked two first-half field goals, but his score from 40 yards on the final play of the first half was negated by a personal foul penalty on teammate Michael Montgomery.

Olindo Mare made three field goals for Miami. His 52-yard try with two minutes left failed when it hit the upright.

AP-ES-10-22-06 1702EDT

Copy the Story Link