Miami (7-3) at New England (5-5)

Time: 8: 20, chs. 2, 7.

Line: Patriots by 3.

Vs. spread: Dolphins 6-3; Patriots 4-5.

Outlook: Call the Dolphins the anti-Broncos. If Denver has raced to an unbeaten start with offense, the Dolphins stand alone atop the AFC East with defense. They'll try to clamp CBs Terrell Buckley and Sam Madison on the Patriots' receivers and shut down New England's anemic running game. If the Dolphins can manage a running game, they'll hang onto first place for another week. The Patriots need to stop their free fall out of playoff contention. They have lost four of five, mainly because their best players keep getting hurt.

Notable: Dolphins are playing on Monday night for an NFL-high 58th time; their record is 33-24.

Injuries:

DOLPHINS: Out: T Richmond Webb (triceps). Questionable: S Calvin Jackson (ankle). Probable: K Olindo Mare (hip); S Brian Walker (knee).

PATRIOTS: Out: WR Vincent Brisby (hamstring-IR). Doubtful: WR Troy Brown (ankle); LB Todd Collins (groin); DE Willie McGinest (groin). Questionable: RB Tony Carter (knee); WR Terry Glenn (hamstring); T Zefross Moss (knee); LB Chris Slade (ankle); DT Mark Wheeler (knee). Probable: DT Chad Eaton (quadriceps); DT Henry Thomas (ankle).

Pub Date: 11/23/98