Miami can point to its fifth-ranked defense for reversing last year's start that led to a 7-9 finish. Besides holding Buffalo and Minnesota to 10 points each, the Dolphins forced Vikings quarterback Brett Favre into four turnovers and stifled several late comeback attempts.
That also sets up nicely for home games against AFC East rivals New England and the New York Jets, both 1-1.
"When you can go into those two kinds of environments with a young team and come away with two wins it helps in a lot of different areas," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "We've been fortunate to win two football games, so as we get on in this thing it will help us in the long haul."
