The Miami Dolphins make their first regular-season appearance in Mile High Stadium since 1985 as the Dolphins and the Denver Broncos, playoff combatants from a year ago, battle in primetime for the second straight season as Monday Night Football kicks off its 30th season.

Including playoffs, while the Dolphins have doubled Denver's victory total in this series (6-3-1), the Broncos rolled to a resounding 38-3 triumph in the 1998 AFC Divisional Playoffs at Mile High Stadium in the last battle between the clubs as Broncos' RB Terrell Davis ran roughshod for 199 yards and two touchdowns, while the Denver defense limited Jimmy Johnson's club to just 14 yards on the ground.

As for the teams' last regular-season encounter, Miami posted a 31-21 Monday night triumph in '98 (Week 16) at Pro Player Stadium as Dolphins' QB Dan Marino threw for 355 yards and four touchdowns (1 INT) -- three of those scores to WR Lamar Thomas -- while the Dolphins' defense limited Broncos' RB Terrell Davis to a season-low 29 yards rushing. Including playoffs, the Dolphins are 1-3-1 in five previous appearances in Denver dating back to 1966, their last regular-season road tilt in this series resulting in a rousing 30-26 victory at Mile High Stadium in 1985 in the first meeting between Marino and since-departed Broncos' QB John Elway.

Numbers: Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins are 28-5 when they run the ball 25 or more times, 0-18 when they fail to run the ball at least 25 times. Including playoffs, Dolphins' QB Dan Marino threw for 2,731 yards (248.3 YPG), 16 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions in his last 11 games (6-5) in '98 -- all 16 of those scores to WRs O.J. McDuffie (7), Oronde Gadsden (5) and Lamar Thomas (4), this after throwing for just 1,244 yards (177.7 YPG), 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his first 7 games (5-2). Including playoffs, the Dolphins allowed 119 points in 11 wins, 201 points in 7 losses in '98. Including playoffs, the Dolphins allowed just 9 sacks in 11 wins, 17 sacks in 7 losses in '98.

In four NFL seasons (61 regular-season games) from 1995-98, Broncos' RB Terrell Davis has rushed for 6,413 yards (105.1 YPG) and 56 touchdowns. Including playoffs, Davis has scored at least one touchdown in 30 of his last 38 contests dating back to '97. Including playoffs, Davis has rushed for 100 or more yards in 28 of his last 38 contests dating back to '97. Davis has rushed for 200 or more yards in three of his last 28 regular-season games. In 19 games in '98 (including playoffs), the Broncos outscored the opposition a combined 165-54 in the first quarter, and a combined 338-153 in the first half. Including playoffs, the Broncos have scored 30 or more points in 36-of-72 games under head coach Mike Shanahan (1995-98).

Things To Look For: Many feel the Broncos' chances of winning a third straight Super Bowl title ended with John Elway's retirement. But those taking Mike Shanahan's club lightly may be in for a surprise as the Denver defense looks improved and All-Pro RB Terrell Davis may be primed for another 2,000-yard campaign. Jimmy Johnson's Dolphins looked primed for a title run, but may be in over their heads here.

Etc.: The last time the Broncos began the season without since-departed QB John Elway as the starter was 1982, when Craig Morton opened against San Diego, a 23-3 loss to the Chargers at Mile High Stadium. The Dolphins have won seven straight games on opening day dating back to 1992, the best current streak in the NFL, while Broncos have won four straight games on opening day dating back to head coach Mike Shanahan's arrival in 1995. Shanahan is 6-0 on opening day as a head coach (2-0 with Raiders from 1988-89, 4-0 with Broncos from 1995-98). The Dolphins are making their first of three Monday night appearances this season and are 34-26 lifetime on Monday Night Football (13-16 on Monday nights since '86), including just 5-13 on the road; the Dolphins are 3-6 on Monday Night Football under head coach Jimmy Johnson dating back to 1996, while Johnson is 6-9 lifetime on Monday Night Football with the Cowboys (3-3) and Dolphins (3-6). The Dolphins are making their NFL-high 61st appearance on Monday Night Football and have posted an NFL-best 34 victories on MNF. The Broncos are making their first of three Monday night appearances this season and are just 18-21-1 lifetime on Monday Night Football, including 13-5-1 at home; the Broncos are 6-2 on Monday Night Football under head coach Mike Shanahan.

Dolphins' QB Dan Marino made his National Football League debut on a Monday night in 1983 (Sept. 19) in Los Angeles against the Raiders. In relief of David Woodley, Marino completed 11-of-17 passes for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 27-14 Miami loss. His first NFL pass attempt was a 9-yard completion to WR Mark Duper and his first NFL TD pass went to TE Joe Rose (6 yards). In 35 Monday night appearances (19-15 as starter), Marino has thrown for 8,866 yards, 68 touchdowns and just 30 interceptions. With his appearance in this game, Marino will break a tie with Jerry Rice (35) for most games played on Monday Night Football. The Broncos have won 24 straight regular-season home games, their last loss a 31-27 setback to Seattle in Week 15 of '95. Including playoffs, the Broncos have won 19 straight home games (3-0 in playoffs) dating back to '97.