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MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins already can consider this season a success, thanks to their first playoff victory in four years and a 10-6 regular-season record, their best since 1994.

	Jimmy Johnson knows the Dolphins face a difficult test in Denver.

Few picked the Dolphins to reach the Super Bowl, so they go into Saturday's playoff game at Denver with little to lose.

That's good, because they're expected to lose.

The Dolphins haven't won a postseason game on the road in 25 years, and they're 3-5 in away games this season. They must contend with a hostile crowd, high altitude, cold weather and an opponent that is well-rested and playoff-tested. They must hope that an injury-depleted front four can contain Terrell Davis and harass John Elway.

The Dolphins are 12-point underdogs, but they've decided against conceding defeat.

"We're not satisfied," cornerback Sam Madison said. "We haven't completed our goal."

"It's 1999," cornerback Terrell Buckley added. "Our New Year's resolution was to go to the Super Bowl."

Still, overconfidence won't be a problem at Denver.

"We're not going to start feeling good about ourselves," All-Pro linebacker Zach Thomas pledged. "We know that when we're playing well, we can beat anybody. We also know that when we're not, anybody can beat us."

The Dolphins' two most recent victories have been their biggest in Jimmy Johnson's three years as coach. They beat Denver 31-21 on Dec. 21 and defeated Buffalo 24-17 Saturday for their first playoff win in four years. In between came a 38-16 loss at Atlanta that has kept Miami's egos in check.

"We know that after we beat Denver, we went to Atlanta and choked," Thomas said.

Thomas wasn't even born the last time Miami won a road playoff game. The date was Dec. 31, 1972, and the game was the AFC Championship at Pittsburgh.

They're not too good away from home this season, either. In 1998, the Dolphins outscored opponents 164-82 at home, but were outscored 157-183 in away games. None of the three teams Miami beat on the road had a winning record.

"I've said all along this is a better team than last year," Johnson said. "We've gone further in the playoffs than we did last year. Now we need to show we can win on the road."

The Broncos, however, are 8-0 at home this season.

"Obviously playing in Mile High Stadium is going to be a lot different than what we faced at Pro Player Stadium," Johnson admitted.

Miami's victory over Denver in December is a bit misleading. The Broncos took little motivation into the game because they had already clinched home-field advantage through the playoffs.

"We'll see a different team than we saw two weeks ago," Miami defensive end Trace Armstrong said. "We'll see the defending world champions."

The Dolphins were a healthier team the last time they faced Denver. Defensive tackle Tim Bowens (arm) and end Jason Taylor (collarbone) will miss the rest of the postseason with injuries, and the availability of receiver O.J. McDuffie (foot) and tight end Troy Drayton (ankle) is in doubt.

"Our team is physically more banged up than at any time in the season," Johnson said.