JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -The Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars climbed out of early-season holes by winning close games. Now, they're right in the middle of the AFC playoff race.
There's also a good chance one of them will fade from contention Sunday.
Although the Dolphins (6-6) and Jaguars (7-5) refuse to call it a must-win game, they recognize that the loser will have a considerably tougher path to the postseason.
"We know what's ahead of us,'' Miami quarterback Chad Henne said. "If we don't take care of this week, our opportunities are very shy. This is the most important game of the season. Whatever happens here, we have to move on and worry about next week. This is the game we have to win.''
The Dolphins have won six of nine since an 0-3 start, and five of them have been decided by a touchdown or less. None was bigger than last week's 22-21 victory against AFC East-leading New England. Dan Carpenter's 41-yard field goal with about a minute to play left Miami a game back in the division.
The Patriots play Carolina Sunday, then Buffalo next week, so the Dolphins realize they have little room for error in the division and would have even less in the wild-card picture with a loss at Jacksonville.
"They hold some of the keys to the wild-card spot right now,'' Miami coach Tony Sparano said. "It's a big game for us. We're well aware of it.''
