(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-18 14:49

MIAMI - The Miami Dolphins fought off the spectre of a winless season with their overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, but another record is at stake when they visit the unbeaten New England Patriots this week.

The 1972 Dolphins are the only team to go through an entire regular season with a 100 percent record but the Patriots are just two victories away from matching that feat.

New England host Miami on Sunday and travel to New York to face the Giants in their regular season finale.

Miami have the perfect opportunity to preserve their franchise's unique status with a victory in New England but on this season's form there is little chance of that happening.

When the teams met in October, the Patriots ran out 49-28 winners -- a scoreline that actually flattered the Dolphins who had trailed 42-7 at halftime.

"It is kind of a unique circumstance, but for us our approach isn't going to change. I think that's what gave us a chance against Baltimore -- we didn't change our approach," Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron said on Monday.

"I think you just continue to prepare, continue to practice well and continue to game-plan as well as you can."

There is a gulf in class between the 1972 team -- coached by Don Shula and featuring players such as Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and Nick Buoniconti -- and the current 1-13 Dolphins team, which sits at the bottom of the AFC East.

But on Sunday the two teams came together at Dolphin Stadium to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their triumph.

Defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday said it was an extra boost to win in front of the franchise's most successful team.

"I don't know how much they've been able to actually follow and watch games, but to be here and see that even though we were 0-13 at the time we continue to go out and fight. I think they were impressed and they had to be. They had to respect it," said Holliday.

"I'm just glad that they got to witness it first hand and I'm glad we had a chance to get our first win with them in the house."

On Sunday in New England, it will be the NFL's current marquee player who will be on Miami minds. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw six touchdowns the last time the teams met.

"If you look at it statistically, he's completing 69 point-something percent of his passes with 45 touchdowns. The most impressive stat, though, is only six interceptions," said Cameron.

"I think most teams would tell you the goal is single-digit interceptions in a season, but if you combine six interceptions with 45 touchdowns, obviously what he's doing is just off the charts. Everybody is looking for answers, and obviously, no one has found the answer yet."