The fading Dolphins will attempt to halt their December swoon on Sunday, when they travel up the coast to face the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Miami finds itself in a precarious position, currently a game behind Denver for the final wild card slot in the AFC. The Dolphins have lost two straight on the heels of a three-game win streak, including a 34-27 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night.

Miami is now 9-11 in December under head coach Dave Wannstedt, including a 2-6 road record. The Dolphins haven't won on the road in December since 2000.

"We need to get focused and get ready to go and get after Buffalo this week. Play this thing out and see what happens," said Wannstedt. "We were in a similar situation a year ago and we know what happened in the end against us. We've just got to keep our focus. We can't worry about anyone else. We've just got to get ready for the next one, which is Buffalo."

WHERE'S THE D?

Miami's normally stern defense struggled with missed tackles against the Eagles, allowing them to rack up 401 yards of total offense. The Dolphins were gashed for five yards per rush en route to surrendering 140 yards on the ground in the loss. Middle linebacker Zach Thomas led the way with nine tackles, but didn't have his best game.

"We missed too many tackles, their backs averaged five yards a carry or over that, and that's been our strength," said Wannstedt. "We missed too many tackles and fundamentally we didn't do what was necessary as a team. It's the same thing with special teams and the same thing with offense, really."

The Dolphins hadn't allowed 100 yards rushing since Week 12 to the Washington Redskins. For the season, Miami remains fourth in the AFC against the run (91.8 ypg). Thomas has been the Dolphins' best run defender with 132 stops (4th-AFC) this season.

Safety Sammy Knight has been solid against the run as well, registering 88 stops, while linebacker Junior Seau has 81 stops. Seau leads the team with 6 1/2 tackles for a loss.

Miami was lit up to the tune of 261 yards through the air by the Eagles on Monday. The Dolphins surrendered a lot of big plays in the contest, including a 59-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage. Safety Brock Marion led the Dolphins' secondary with seven stops.

The Dolphins, who have a ferocious pass rush led by defensive ends Adewale Ogunleye and Jason Taylor, must continue to rush the passer effectively this week. Ogunleye leads the AFC with 13 sacks, while Taylor has chipped in nine (8th-AFC).

PRO BOWL BOUND

The Dolphins will have four players -- all defenders -- in the Pro Bowl this season. Ogunleye, Thomas, Marion and Surtain will be playing for the AFC.

Thomas, Marion and Surtain have been elected to multiple Pro Bowls, while Ogunleye is headed to his first. Ogunleye is the 51st different Dolphin to be chosen for the Pro Bowl since 1970.

UP NEXT: The Dolphins return home to host the Jets in their season finale next week.