One week ago, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano did something normally shunned by the coaching community at any level of any sport: He looked past his next game.

This was no accident, either. It was not an impatient, overexcited reaction to the schedule ahead, but rather a strategic motivational tactic used to make his players realize how much could change in a short window of time.

``I don't normally do that,'' Sparano said. ``You know me better than that. We did talk about how we could change things in six days, and I think it really is a heck of a thing, because we could be sitting here today at 3-7 right now.''

Instead, as a result of two consecutive wins, the Dolphins are 5-5 -- and impressively back in the hunt for a playoff spot with six games to go for the second consecutive year. But that doesn't mean this is a time to grow overly confident.

Cautious optimism? That's better. But anything more might be overreacting. Miami still has an uphill climb ahead, especially because its destiny still remains in the hands of others.

So before trying to make sense of the Dolphins' playoff prospects, it might be best to sit back and await the outcome of Sunday's games, many of which could play an important role in Miami's fate during the team's day off.

``There's a lot of football left,'' Sparano said. ``There's some teams that have to play a lot of good people [Sunday]. There are some games going on this weekend that will be big deals. We'll just let those guys sweat it, and we'll get a chance to heal up a little bit here.''

ROOT FOR THE JETS?

So what's worth watching today? Well, there's no question what marks the most important game: Today at 4:15 p.m., if the Jets are able to defeat the Patriots for a second time this season, it would create a jumbled mess in the division reminiscent of last year.

Yes, Dolphins fans. For one day only, it is permissible to wear green.

A win by New York would move New England to 6-4, meaning the Jets and the Dolphins (both at 5-5) would be within a game of the division leader.

In the case of that outcome, here's another bit of good news for Miami: The Dolphins no longer have the NFL's most difficult schedule ahead, a superlative they were ingloriously tagged with before the season's start.

Actually, the Bills (.560), the Jets (.547) and the Patriots (.538) have three of the four most difficult remaining schedules in the AFC. The Dolphins' final six games lighten up much more, with their opponents sharing a combined record of 28-26 (.519).

That's part of the reason why Miami's most recent two wins were so critical to the season's potential. They didn't just provide some much-needed momentum -- they also provided a boost back into relevance as the Jets and the Patriots prepare to battle.

``It puts us on the right track,'' running back Ricky Williams said. ``We have been trying to get here [to .500] all year, and we finally got here. It's just the next step to where we want to go.''

There is still one scenario that could mess things up plenty: A Patriots win against the Jets would put New England in a prime position to coast toward an AFC East title, as well as the division's playoff berth.

That means Miami's opportunity for the playoffs would need to be earned through one of two wild-card spots in the AFC. It wouldn't be an impossible route, but it would require a few teams to crumble in the season's homestretch.

TEAMS TO WATCH

So who should you watch? Well, the list is still a bit long: The Broncos (6-3), the Steelers (6-3), the Chargers (6-3), the Jaguars (5-4), the Ravens (5-4) and the Texans (5-4). Among those teams, the Steelers are the most threatening because they are currently the best second-place team in the conference.

It seems to be a good early bet for now that Cincinnati or Pittsburgh (which faces 2-7 Kansas City on Sunday) will lock up one of two wild-card spots. So that makes Sunday's game between the Chargers and the Broncos another important one to watch, because the winner of that game will be the next most threatening prospect to Miami's playoff hopes.

So let's recap: The Jets and the Patriots game is still the most important. But the fate of the Steelers, the Chargers and the Broncos also could eventually come into play.

If you are incredibly confused, annoyed or tired of this premature playoff talk, then you're surely not alone. In which case, it's probably best to resort to the philosophy that Sparano typically preaches: One game at a time.

For the Dolphins, despite the coach's recent decision to stray from his standard line, they surely will get back to taking the previous approach. Considering the number of injuries plaguing Miami (it continues to look like nose tackle Jason Ferguson might be shelved for the season), there's no more reason to look beyond right now.

Next up? The Buffalo Bills. One week from Sunday.

``But right now,'' Sparano said, ``the boys need a little bit of rest.''