The Miami Dolphins are unhappy about unraveling.
When the Dolphins defeated Dallas on Thanksgiving, they had the best record in the NFL. Now they've lost three in a row - their longest losing streak in five years."Everything was going so good," nose tackle Chuck Klingbeil said. "After that big win at Dallas, with the next three games at home, you're thinking definite Super Bowl."
Sunday's 47-34 defeat by the Bills was the costliest. Now, Buffalo (10-4) can clinch the AFC East by winning just one of its final two games, which leaves Miami (9-5) scrambling just to earn a wild-card playoff berth.
The injury-plagued Dolphins will try to regroup Monday at San Diego (6-8). Coach Don Shula, seeking a steady hand to lead his reeling team, said Monday he plans to stay with Scott Mitchell as the starting quarterback.
Shula benched Mitchell in the third quarter Sunday. Mitchell, who had missed the previous four games with a dislocated shoulder, threw two touchdown passes to help Miami take a 17-9 lead. He then threw two costly interceptions as Buffalo scored 31 points in 7 1/2 minutes.
Steve DeBerg came off the bench and rallied Miami from a 47-20 deficit with two touchdown passes. But Mitchell remains No. 1, Shula said.
"If he has a good week of practice and feels good, we will go back to him as our starter," Shula said.
Miami is 3-2 with Mitchell starting. He threw for 155 yards in barely one half against Buffalo, and Shula blamed the poor passes on rustiness.
"You look at the last game, shake your head and say, `It's over - thank goodness,"' Mitchell said. "Every day is not going to be perfect. We still have a chance to make the playoffs."
But three weeks of frustration were evident in the closing minutes against Buffalo. Klingbeil and safety Bobby Harden were ejected for fighting, and linebacker Bryan Cox became so angry that Shula benched him with 4:56 remaining.