Dolphins leaning on tightened D in surprise playoff bid

DAVIE, Fla. -- Three weeks ago, the Miami Dolphins' defense was reeling from a relapse.

A 48-28 loss to New England was reminiscent of 2007, and reinforced doubts that Miami was not ready to mount a push toward a playoff berth.

The Dolphins haven't given up a touchdown since.

"As bad as that game was, look how far we've come -- and how far we can still go," linebacker Akin Ayodele said.

Tied with the Jets and Patriots for the AFC East lead, Miami (9-5) can go to the postseason for the first time since 2001. By sweeping the final two games, the Dolphins would clinch a berth. Anything less, and they might fall short.

"We have full control over what's going to happen," linebacker Joey Porter said. "It's exactly what you want. You don't want to be in a situation where you're hoping this team loses or that team loses to benefit you."

Miami will close out the regular season on the road, against the Chiefs and Jets, and the likelihood of cold weather will put a big burden on the Dolphins' much-improved defense.

Since the drubbing by the Patriots, Miami has allowed a total of 24 points -- eight field goals -- in victories over St. Louis, Buffalo and San Francisco. The three-game stretch without allowing a TD is the Dolphins' longest since 1973, which happens to be the last time they won the Super Bowl. The streak is the NFL's longest since 2000.

It's a dramatic change for the Dolphins, who gave up an AFC-high 31 points a game last year while going 1-15.

"They're learning how to communicate very well out there," first-year coach Tony Sparano said. "There are guys covering for one another. And they're becoming pretty resilient. They don't really get flustered a whole lot, even when somebody makes a big play against them."

That was the case Sunday, when the 49ers had the ball for 38 minutes, made 24 first downs and drove inside the Miami 25 four times.

Sparano said he was on the lookout for signs of surrender as his defense wearied trying to protect a small lead.

"I was a little worried," he said. "We were bending and bending and bending. I saw them coming to the sideline, and I was trying to see the look in their eyes. I've seen teams I've been a part of in the 14th week of the season where in that kind of situation, the look wasn't good. It was a tired, beaten-up look. And that wasn't the look on the sideline Sunday."