Teams seek to cement contender status

Dolphins, Cowboys boast good records but have struggled against league’s elite teams

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — At various times this season, the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys have looked like contenders or pretenders.

Both teams are 10-4, have offenses and defense ranked near the top of the league, and have taken care of lesser competition — sometimes winning by eye-popping margins.

But both have struggled against the best teams in the league.

Three of Miami’s four losses have come against teams with winning records, while all 10 of its wins have come against teams that entered at .500 or worse. The Cowboys’ only win against a team that currently has a winning record came two weeks ago in a 33-13 blowout of the ebbing Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys are 3-4 on the road. Last week, they lost 31-10 at Buffalo, giving up 266 yards rushing while recording only 195 yards total.

“You can’t get to where you want to go being a .500 team on the road,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. “You’re not going to be playing playoff games at home with that record either. It’s definitely a focus for us.”

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is averaging 304 yards passing with two interceptions and a 74% completion rate at AT&T Stadium. On the road, he’s averaged 216 yards per game with five picks and a 63% completion rate.

The Cowboys clinched a playoff berth before kicking off against Buffalo but still have a chance to win the NFC East and secure the top seed in the conference.

McCarthy said his team will lean on a mix of veterans and youngsters the rest of the way.

“This is why we spend so much time with our younger players,” he said. “Because this is the time of year that young players are playing. And it’s the most important time of the year because we’re all fighting for playoff seeds and so forth. I think the biggest thing is just to stay after it, stay consistent and lean on your leadership.”

COWBOYS INJURIES

Dallas right guard Zack Martin is expected to play despite sustaining a left quadriceps bruise in the first half against Buffalo. Left tackle Tyron Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowler, was ruled out after injuring his back against the Bills.

McCarthy said defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins would be “hard-pressed to go” because of a sprained ankle.

JEFFREY T. BARNES/ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott hands off to running back Tony Pollard during last week’s loss to the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. The previously high-flying Cowboys offense gained only 195 yards.