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... Dolphins Still Winless At 0-13

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By JOHN WAWROW, The Associated Press

Published: December 10, 2007

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - The Miami Dolphins are so terrible that even their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, are starting to feel sorry for them.

Safety Donte Whitner, of course, wasn't sympathetic until after the Bills completed a 38-17 rout Sunday, handing Miami its 13th straight defeat to start the season, and 16th straight dating to last year.

"I was talking to Booker out there, and he was saying, 'Man, I don't know what it feels like to win in this league, yet,'" Whitner said, referring to Dolphins rookie running back Lorenzo Booker. "And I said, 'You know, don't stress over it. ... Things are going to get better.'"

Not any time soon by the way things look.

There once was a time when Miami could at least keep scores respectable, losing six times by three points. The Dolphins (0-13), coming off a 40-13 loss to the Jets last weekend, can't even do that now, and have moved within one loss of matching the NFL record for worst start to a season.

And it's not out of the question for them to become the first team to go winless in a 16-game campaign, surpassing Tampa Bay's 0-14 record as an expansion team in 1976.

"They're all frustrating. And they all weigh on you more and more," defensive end Jason Taylor said. "You lost another game. You wish it was the other way around."

The Bills (7-6) won for the sixth time in eight games to stay in the AFC playoff hunt. They can now look to a critical outing at Cleveland next weekend.

The Dolphins began unraveling before the snow started falling and the field became slick before halftime. The game was effectively over when Buffalo took advantage of two turnovers and three sacks to build a 24-7 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The 24 points were the most scored by the Bills in the first quarter since putting up 28 against Atlanta on Nov. 22, 1992.

Trouble is, Miami put up such a weak fight that it's difficult to gauge how good the Bills were.
Rookie quarterback Trent Edwards' four touchdown passes, including two to tight end Robert Royal, were the most since Drew Bledsoe had that many for Buffalo in 2004. The four TD passes were two fewer than the Bills had all this season.

Buffalo's 38 points was a season high and three short of what the team combined for in its three previous games.

"We're starting to believe in what the coaches are saying and what the team leaders are saying," Edwards said. "We feel pretty confident right now."

The Bills' running attack produced two 100-yard rushers for the first time since 1996, with Fred Jackson having 115 and Marshawn Lynch adding 107.

"I feel for Miami, but obviously, we wanted to beat them as bad as we possibly could here," Coach Dick Jauron said. "All in all, it was an outstanding win."

Safety George Wilson even got into the scoring, capitalizing on one of the more laughable moments. On his ninth play from scrimmage, rookie Dolphins starter John Beck was untouched in the pocket when the ball slipped out of his hand and fell directly into Wilson's arms, allowing the converted receiver to score his second defensive touchdown this year.

Buf-Royal 13 pass from Edwards (Lindell kick), 12:12.

Buf-Royal 28 pass from Edwards (Lindell kick), 5:25.

Buf-Wilson 20 fumble return (Lindell kick), 4:35.

Mia-Gado 12 run (Feely kick), 3:37.

Buf-FG Lindell 51, :14.

Second Quarter

Buf-Evans 9 pass from Edwards (Lindell kick), 9:33.

Third Quarter

Mia-Gado 20 run (Feely kick), 11:25.

Mia-FG Feely 41, 6:30.

Fourth Quarter

Buf-Evans 70 pass from Edwards (Lindell kick), 12:46.

A-71,018.

RUSHING-Miami, Gado 12-52, L.Booker 4-13, Lemon 4-4, Beck 1-(minus 4). Buffalo, Jackson 15-115, Lynch 23-107, Edwards 2-2.

PASSING-Miami, Lemon 22-42-2-241, Beck 1-2-0-6. Buffalo, Edwards 11-23-0-165.

RECEIVING-Miami, Hagan 8-93, L.Booker 6-34, Ginn Jr. 4-67, Gado 2-41, Martin 2-11, Peelle 1-1. Buffalo, Royal 3-46, Reed 3-30, Evans 2-79, Jackson 1-6, Gaines 1-3, Parrish 1-1.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-Buffalo, Lindell 46 (WL).

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