THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAVIE - The phrase sounds funny, like one of those jokes late-night comedians were telling at this time last year: "first-place Miami Dolphins."
It's no joke, folks.
Former laughingstock Miami claimed a share of the lead in the AFC East by beating Buffalo while the New York Jets were being upset at San Francisco. That left the Jets and Dolphins at 8-5, along with the New England Patriots, who defeated Seattle.
"Some of the moons lined up just a little bit again for us," Miami coach Tony Sparano said.
The Dolphins have indeed been fortunate, suffering few injuries and benefiting from one of the NFL's easiest schedules. But they're not winning merely because they're lucky.
Under the new regime led by Bill Parcells, Miami has improved dramatically, perhaps enough to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. That would be a stunning achievement for a team that was 0-13 a year ago this week en route to a 1-15 finish.
"We have an opportunity," cornerback Andre Goodman said. "That's all you can ask for."
The Dolphins have won six of their past seven games, and they have a three-game road winning streak. Sunday's 16-3 victory to complete a season sweep of Buffalo was thorough, with Miami controlling the ball for 37 ½ minutes and allowing only 163 yards, the best effort by the defense since 2003.
Veterans Joey Porter, Vonnie Holliday, Jason Ferguson, Will Allen, Yeremiah Bell and Anthony Fasano were among those contributing to the latest victory.
"I challenged some of the veteran players," Sparano said Monday. "I told them for the last couple of weeks, as the stakes got higher, there were some guys who maybe their (stat) lines weren't as good as they could be. All of a sudden I saw a different group of people out there yesterday. I saw those guys come to the front of the class."
As a result, the Dolphins control their destiny. They'll be favored this week at home against San Francisco (5-8) and next week at Kansas City (2-11). Then comes a potential showdown in the regular-season finale against the Jets in New York.
"It's real exciting," rookie receiver Davone Bess said. "We've got to stay hungry. This journey isn't over."
