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Dolphins look to move over .500 against Seahawks

Nov 4, 2008 - 5:45 PM Seattle (2-6) at Miami (4-4), 1:00 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- It didn't seem possible before the season, but the Miami Dolphins are thinking about the "P" word.

Coming off an impressive win at Denver, the surprising Dolphins look to climb above .500 on Sunday when they host the Seattle Seahawks in the first of three straight home games.

"I think it's healthy to talk about success," Miami quarterback Chad Pennington said. " It's healthy to talk about future endeavors and goals. At the same time, it's up to us veterans to make sure the whole team realizes and understands that it is simply the next game.

"We've got our sights set high and our expectations high, but that means nothing if you don't take care of the business of what is in front of you."

The Dolphins took care of business last week, defeating the Broncos, 26-17, for their second straight win. Miami reached the midpoint of the season at 4-4 after forcing Denver quarterback Jay Cutler into three interceptions.

Making the postseason may still be a long shot, but the Dolphins are at least in the mix, just one game out of a playoff spot.

A year ago, Miami was 0-8 halfway through the season en route to a 1-15 finish.

The Dolphins also are looking at a favorable schedule. They host Oakland and New England the next two weeks, then play at St. Louis on November 30.

Could they be sitting at 7-5 following Week 13?

Rookie coach Tony Sparano does not want to look that far ahead, but he definitely thinks making the playoffs is a realistic goal.

"I think so," he said. "All I'm saying is there were 16 teams this week that had three or four wins. We're one of those teams that were stuck right in the middle and we have to make a decision which way we're going to go and I think (Sunday) we took a step toward that decision."

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren may be thinking about the "R" word - retirement, which is where he is headed at season's end.

At 2-6, the Seahawks appear to be playing out the string as their four-year reign atop the NFC West champions is all but over. Seattle trails Arizona by three games in the division.

Seneca Wallace made his third straight start for the Seahawks last week, but passed for only 169 yards in a 26-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Seahawks got off to a good start when Wallace threw a franchise-record 90-yard touchdown pass to Koren Robinson just 1:49 into the game. After that score, however, Wallace passed for only 79 yards.

Seattle starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has missed the last four games with a bulging disk in his back, but could return to practice this week.