The Miami Dolphins are back on their feet again after a slow start to the season that included the firing of head coach Joe Philbin.

Last Sunday, the Dolphins emasculated the Houston Texans 44-26 in a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score suggested.

Prior to the Houston demolition, Ryan Mallett – the backup to starter Brian Hoyer – missed the team flight because he was “caught in traffic.”

A pattern of oversleeping and being unreliable finally caught up with Houston’s former starting quarterback. Today, the Texans released Mallett.

Houston’s misfortune contributed to Miami’s gain. While the Dolphins are still missing from the playoff picture, they are now lurking in the shadows.

Elsewhere, with byes leveling the playing field, Carolina and New England jumped to the top of their conferences with victories.

AFC

#1 – New England Patriots  (AFC East champion, bye)

#2 – Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North champion, bye)

#3 – Denver Broncos (AFC West champion)

#4 – Indianapolis Colts (AFC South champion)

#5  – New York Jets (Wild Card)

#6 –  Pittsburgh Steelers (Wild Card)

NFC

#1 –  Carolina Panthers  (NFC South champion, bye)

#2 – Green Bay Packers (NFC North champion, bye)

#3 – Arizona Cardinals (NFC West champion)

#4 – New York Giants (NFC East champion)

#5 – Atlanta Falcons (Wild Card)

#6 – Minnesota Vikings (Wild Card)

PROPOSED, FICTIONAL TV SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 @ 4:30PM – #6 Minnesota Vikings at #3 Arizona Cardinals (FOX)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 @ 8:00PM – #6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #3 Denver Broncos (NBC)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 @ 1:00PM – #5 New York Jets at #4 Indianapolis Colts (CBS)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 @ 4:30PM – #5 Atlanta Falcons at #4 New York Giants  (FOX)

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF ROUND:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 @ 4:30PM – DEN/IND/ATL at #2 Cincinnati (NBC)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 @ 8PM – NYG/ATL/MIN at #1 Carolina (FOX)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 @ 1PM – ARI/NYG/MIN at #2 Green Bay (FOX)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 @ 4:30PM – INDY/NYJ/PIT at #1 New England (CBS)