Dolphins Will Work From Home

The Miami Dolphins claim to have no preference regarding their first-round playoff opponent. Too bad playing Buffalo again is out of the question.

Lamar Smith rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown Sunday to help the Dolphins clinch a home game in the opening round by beating the lowly Bills, 34-7.

The game began shortly after New England won the AFC East by drubbing Carolina, 38-6, which dashed the Dolphins’ hopes of winning the division and earning a first-round bye.

Miami (11-5), which clinched a playoff berth a week ago, will host Baltimore or the New York Jets in the opening round Sunday. The Ravens will be the opponent if they win tonight at Minnesota; if they lose or tie, New York will play at Miami.

“It doesn’t matter,” quarterback Jay Fiedler said. “We’ve got to beat everyone to get where we want to go anyway.”

But the Jets have beaten the Dolphins eight consecutive times, including twice this season.

“They might come in here with a little swagger,” Miami defensive end Lorenzo Bromell admitted.

The Bills (3-13), out of the playoff race since October, finished with their worst record since going 2-14 in 1985.

“I don’t think you can look back on the season and pick out a lot of good things,” said quarterback Alex Van Pelt, who was sidelined by a sprained throwing shoulder in the first quarter.

The Dolphins are happy to start the playoffs at home, where they’re 7-1 this season, outscoring opponents, 188-92. Their last six playoff losses have been on the road.

“Whoever we play, we get them here,” tight end Hunter Goodwin said. “We seem to play a lot better in our house.”

Miami will need to heal fast. Defensive end Jason Taylor (sprained left shoulder) and standout rookie receiver Chris Chambers (sprained right ankle) became the latest casualties Sunday, and Pro Bowl middle linebacker Zach Thomas (torn right shoulder muscle) sat out the game.

The Dolphins can only hope Smith has rediscovered his form of last season. He came into the game averaging 2.9 yards per carry and, with 30 carries, topped 100 yards for only the third time.

While Miami’s offense sputtered, repeatedly squandering scoring chances, the defense allowed only 13 yards in the first half and scored on the final play of the game when Brock Marion returned an interception 100 yards.

The Dolphins sidelined the opposing quarterback for the second week in a row. Van Pelt’s replacement, Travis Brown, who had never completed a pass in the NFL, finished 15 for 33 for 201 yards with two interceptions.