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Dolphins still seeking first win

Dec 9, 2007 - 12:37 PM Miami (0-12) at Buffalo (6-6) 1:00 pm EST

ORCHARD PARK, New York (Ticker) -- Closing in on a dubious mark, the Miami Dolphins visit the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

The Dolphins are just four losses from becoming the first 0-16 team in NFL history. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished winless in 1976, going 0-14.

"It definitely crosses your mind," Dolphins defensive tackle Keith Traylor said. "You see what's going on out there."

This contest and an encounter in two weeks at New England are the only remaining contests for the Dolphins against teams with winning records. Miami also has home games left against Baltimore (4-8) and Cincinnati (4-8).

On Sunday, the Dolphins are looking to avoid becoming the NFL's first 0-13 team since the Indianapolis Colts in 1986. The Colts did close that season with three straight wins.

"It doesn't seem real to me," Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor said. "We're 0-12. It doesn't get much lower."

The Dolphins reached a new low last week, enduring a 40-13 home loss to the New York Jets. It was the worst loss of the season for Miami, which has dropped a franchise-record six games by three points.

One of the Dolphins' close defeats came in the earlier meeting against the Bills, who rallied from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to post a 13-10 victory in Miami on November 11.

Many of the Dolphins' problems have to do with their offense. In three games since rookie John Beck replaced Cleo Lemon as the club's starting quarterback, Miami has failed to score an offensive touchdown and managed just 20 points.

Last week, Beck committed five turnovers with three interceptions and two fumbles.

While the Dolphins are still seeking their first win, the Bills are holding out hope of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Buffalo is one game behind Cleveland (7-5) and Tennessee (7-5) for the AFC's second wild card.

Last week, Rian Lindell kicked five field goals as the Bills rallied for a 17-16 victory over the Washington Redskins. His final field goal was a 36-yarder with four seconds remaining.

The Bills hope to have rookie Marshawn Lynch back in the lineup. Lynch, who has rushed for 751 yards and six touchdowns, missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain.