AFC FIRST LOOK: THE SECOND ROUND

SATURDAY

Miami (11-6) at Denver (14-2)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

TV: Channel 2

* How they got here: Denver was the AFC West champion; Miami earned a wild-card berth and defeated Buffalo, 24-17, in the wild-card game.

* 1998 meetings: Dan Marino, facing John Elway for the first time in 15 years, threw four touchdown passes and led the Dolphins to a 31-21 victory Dec. 21. Marino completed 23 of 38 passes for 355 yards. Elway was only 13 of 36 for 151 yards, with two interceptions. Terrell Davis was held to 29 yards.

* About Miami: The defense, already without injured defensive end Jason Taylor, received another blow on Sunday when it learned that Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tim Bowens will be sidelined the rest of the playoffs because of a torn right biceps tendon.

* About Denver: The Broncos went from a team that could have gone down as the best of all time to one that stumbled into the playoffs, losing two of its last three games. But they will be more motivated for this game than they were during the regular season against Miami.

HOW THEY COMPARE

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CATEGORY MIA DEN Points scored 20.1 31.3 Points allowed 16.6 19.3 Rushing offense 95.9 154.3 Passing offense 212.2 226.5 Total offense 308.1 380.8 Rushing defense 94.4 80.4 Passing defense 182.8 228.0 Total defense 277.2 308.4

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