Dolphins look to stay in AFC East title race with win over Chiefs

It didn't take long for Carl Peterson to build the Kansas City Chiefs into a winner.

The Miami Dolphins are finding their new regime to be just as efficient.

After a week in which Peterson -- one of the most successful executives in NFL history - decided to step down, the Dolphins continue their quest to make the playoffs in their first season under the leadership of Bill Parcells as they visit the Chiefs on Sunday.

Kansas City went 4-11 in two straight seasons before Peterson took over as general manager in 1989, but went 8-7-1 in his first year and went on to make six straight playoff appearances. Peterson, in his 20th year with the Chiefs (2-12), announced Monday he'd be stepping down at the end of the season.

Miami (9-5), meanwhile, went a league-worst 1-15 in 2007, then brought in Parcells to be the team's executive vice president of football operations. Parcells hired Tony Sparano to be the Dolphins' coach, and they're now in a three-way with the New York Jets and New England for first place in the AFC East.

By winning its final two games, Miami would clinch a playoff berth. Anything less, though, and the Dolphins may fall short.

"We have full control over what's going to happen," said Miami linebacker Joey Porter, who was named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday. "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."

The Dolphins conclude the regular season on Dec. 28 with a road game against the Jets, who would win the division with victories in their final two games.

Miami has won three straight, sparked by a defense that was reeling following a 48-28 loss to New England on Nov. 23. Since then, though, the Dolphins have not allowed a touchdown.

In its last three games, Miami has allowed a total of 24 points -- eight field goals -- to beat St. Louis, Buffalo and San Francisco. The Dolphins' streak without allowing a TD is their longest since 1973, the last time they won the Super Bowl.

Miami is giving up 19.2 points per game after allowing 27.3 last year.

"They're learning how to communicate very well out there," 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."

There's no question the Dolphins' defense is greatly improved, but it has faced teams ranked in the bottom third in the league in yards per game over the past three weeks.