MIAMI AT NEW ENGLAND

* Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Records: Dolphins 7-3; Patriots 5-5.

* Story line: The Dolphins have won four of their last five games to move to the top of the AFC East. The Patriots, meanwhile, have lost four of five and need to get back on track if they’re going to make a playoff push. “Playing at Foxboro on Monday night and them being kind of backed up into a corner, I know we’ll get their best effort,” said Dolphin Coach Jimmy Johnson, whose team has scored only one touchdown in its last three games against the Patriots. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots, 12-9, last month at Miami, getting four field goals from Olindo Mare, including the winner in overtime. Dan Marino has passed for more than 8,000 yards in 32 Monday night games, but Johnson continues to emphasize the running game. The Dolphins ran for 184 yards in last week’s 13-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers as Karim Abdul-Jabbar rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown in 25 carries. “We’re getting some big plays out of the running game,” Johnson said. The Patriots have generally been tough against the run but they gave up 213 yards rushing in last week’s 13-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots couldn’t match that figure in total yardage, finishing with 206 yards as quarterback Drew Bledsoe was limited to 180 yards passing. They’ve lost their last two home games and made news last week by announcing that they’re moving to Hartford, Conn., in 2001.

* Line: Patriots by 3