BUFFALO'S PLAYOFFS TO `START NEXT WEEK' : LOSS AGAINST MIAMI MAKES SUNDAY'S FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME A MUST WIN.

Byline: Daily News Staff Writer

The Buffalo Bills' slump is so severe that they can't even beat the Miami Dolphins.

Needing a victory to clinch a playoff berth, the Bills instead lost their third game in a row Monday night. Dan Marino threw for 263 yards and the Dolphins won 16-14 for their first late-season victory against Buffalo since 1986.

The Bills (9-6) had beaten Miami (7-8) 11 consecutive times in November, December and January over the past decade.

``This was there for the taking,'' Buffalo defensive end Phil Hansen said. ``It's disappointing, disheartening, a bad way to lose - not the Buffalo Bills I know. We had every opportunity presented to us in the last three weeks.''

With Buffalo's defeat, New England (10-5) clinched the AFC East title.

Buffalo fell into a tie with Kansas City and Indianapolis for the best record in the wild-card race. The Bills can still earn a wild-card berth if they win their final regular-season game Sunday at home against the Chiefs, or if Jacksonville (8-7) loses or ties its final game against Atlanta.

``The playoffs start next week for this team,'' Bills center Kent Hull said.

If the second-year Jaguars beat Atlanta, they'll clinch a playoff berth - unless the Buffalo-Kansas City game ends in a tie.

The Dolphins, who were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday, controlled the ball for 42 minutes to earn a consolation victory and break a three-game losing.

``I don't understand people saying we don't have something to play for,'' said Trace Armstrong, who sacked Jim Kelly twice. ``This is my life, and there's always something to play for. This is Monday night and the Buffalo Bills, and that's plenty.''

Miami won two in a row against Buffalo for the first time in 10 years.

``We're on track with this team overall,'' Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson said. ``I don't think it's any secret to anybody we're trying to put together a team that is going to be outstanding the next couple of years. . . .

``We approached the week like any other game. We want to finish on a positive note. Our guys know we're playing for the future.''

For the fifth consecutive game, Miami's offense scored just one touchdown, but that was enough because of a stout defensive effort. Buffalo had the ball for only 18 minutes, scoring on Kelly's touchdown passes of 67 yards to Andre Reed and 16 yards to Eric Moulds.

``We got beat probably worse than the score says,'' coach Marv Levy said. ``We didn't get the ball enough, and didn't do enough with it when we had it.''

After Moulds scored with 4:09 left, Miami caught a break when the officials ruled the ball was dead on an apparent fumble by O.J. McDuffie at the Dolphins' 25.

Marino went 26-for-37. His 5-yard touchdown pass to McDuffie made it 16-7 with 11 minutes left.

Miami out-rushed Buffalo 145-51, and Joe Nedney kicked three field goals for the Dolphins, including an 18-yarder to give them a 9-7 lead midway through the third period.

Buffalo missed a chance to take the lead later in the quarter. A 42-yard pass interference penalty on Calvin Jackson gave Buffalo a first down at the Miami 3, but the Dolphins held, and Steve Christie missed a 20-yard field goal attempt when his kick deflected off the right upright.

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Photo

Photo: Miami and ex-UCLA star Karim Abdul-Jabber is tackled by the Bills' Jeff Burris and Chris Spielman during the Dolphins victory.

Associated Press

Box: AFC PLAYOFF POSSIBILITIES