Miami at Denver


Playoff roster


Depth chart


Statistics


Playoff history

	O.J. McDuffie led all NFL receivers with 90 catches this season.

Offense
Dan Marino has somehow led the Dolphins offense despite thin talent at receiver and an average rushing attack. Marino, who threw for 23 TD passes, 15 interceptions and 3,497 yards, has overcome a lack of big-play receivers.

O.J. McDuffie, who led all AFC receivers with 90 receptions, has been Marino's go-to player all season. And, as of late in the season, Oronde Gadsden, who has seven TD catches, has become a big-play receiver.

The running game, which Jimmy Johnson sticks with even when it's not going well, has been just OK. Miami is ranked 22nd in rushing offense. Karim Abdul-Jabbar, with 960 rushing yards and six TDs, leads the way. Rookie John Avery (503 yards) has provided a decent change-up.

The best way to beat the Dolphins is by getting in Marino's face. Do a decent job against the run and get pressure on Marino up the middle, because it doesn't allow him to step up into the pocket, something he's killed teams with over the years.

Who's hot? Marino was brilliant against Denver, throwing four touchdown passes in Week 16 to hand the Broncos their second straight defeat. McDuffie has been hot all season, and receiver Lamar Thomas had a career-high three TD catches in the upset of Denver.

Who's not? Abdul-Jabbar has not had many game-breaking moments of late.

Defense
This unit will need to overcome the loss of Jason Taylor, a lanky, speedy defensive end, who was lost for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone in the season finale at Atlanta. Taylor had nine sacks on the season.

Everything centers around middle linebacker Zach Thomas, the team's leading tackler and heart and soul with three interceptions.

Trace Armstrong leads the team with 10½ sacks, while rookie Lorenzo Bromell had eight sacks and is a force as a pass rusher.

In the secondary, cornerback Terrell Buckley, who nearly single-handedly stole a game from the Jets on Dec. 13 with an interception and a forced fumble, has been outstanding. He's tied for the team lead with eight interceptions with Sam Madison.

Who hot? Buckley, Madison, Thomas, Armstrong and the entire Miami defense, which stifled Denver's Terrell Davis two weeks ago, although Sunday's loss to Atlanta provided a much cooler picture of this defense.

Who's not? No one. When you're ranked second in the NFL, no one's slumping. But replacing Taylor is a big concern.

Special teams
Buckley is a weapon on punt returns with a 12.2-yard average. ... McDuffie also returns punts and averages 11.8 yards. ... Avery, the speedy rookie, is dangerous on kickoff returns with a 25.2-yard average. ... Overall, Miami's special teams are better than most. ... Kicker Olindo Mare, scored 99 points and made 22 of 26 field-goal attempts. He's dependable and has good, long range if needed.