DAVIE -- The Dolphins are smelling playoffs after dominating Denver Sunday in a 26-17 win that's raised expectations for a team few expected to contend this season.

Miami has reason for optimism after holding the high-powered Broncos offense to 14 yards rushing, their worst ground performance in 36 years.

Coach Tony Sparano said, "At the beginning of the season, we felt like we had as good a chance as anybody. Today we wake up, we're one of 14 teams that have four or five wins. We just kind of throw ourselves into the middle of something here, and all we did right now is created an opportunity to have a real big game at home this week."

The Dolphins host Seattle Sunday, then Oakland the following week at Dolphin Stadium. Both teams are 2-6 and appear very beatable. With Sunday's win, the Dolphins are 4-4, their best eight-game start in five years. Miami is just one game behind the Patriots, Jets and Bills in the AFC East.

"We got our sights set high and our expectations set high but that means nothing if you don't take care of business", said Chad Pennington, perhaps the Dolphins' best quarterback since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season.

The rebuilding Dolphins were longshots to compete for a playoff spot before the season started. The new regime, led by Executive Vice President Bill Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano have the team playing as well as nearly everyone in the AFC.

Whether the young Fins can continue their resurgence remains to be seen.