Because miami hasn't accomplished anything yet. Turning our troubles around from a year ago is a great personal achievement, but we still aren't int he playoffs.
The Pats are, and will be for many years at least, still remembered as the dominant force they were the last several seasons. Everyone knows they would be a better team without their injuries.
And the Jets, well they haven't accomplished anything either, but they have Favre. So you just have to accept.
You know how Miami gets respect? By winning our next 3 games. After that, the media, even the guys who hate Miami, will have to grin and say "yeah, those dolphins are pretty good this year."
But if Miami doesn't get to the playoffs, we didn't accomplish much, and all these wins are just for fans and not a whole bunch else. Spare me the "we're heading in the right direction crap". If we don't get in, from the position we're in right now, then we failed our goal. I think Sporano would agree with me.