The Dolphins have a league-low 10 giveaways, which projects to 13 for the year.

The record is 14. The team that holds that record? The New York Giants' Super Bowl champions of 1990. The coach of that team? Bill Parcells, the same man who has orchestrated the Dolphins' stunning turnaround this season.

There's no great mystery to how the Dolphins have gone from a 1-15 outfit in 2007 to a playoff-contending 7-5 team this year.

They are doing all of the old-fashioned Football fundamentals pretty well; running the ball, stopping the run, and -- most of all -- not beating themselves.

"You look up and down the plus-minus turnover ratios, and the teams with the best records are on the top and the ones with the worst are usually on the bottom," said Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams. "They protect the ball."

The Dolphins are riding high entering today's game against the Buffalo Bills in the Rogers Centre.

Miami has won five out of six. Buffalo (6-6) has lost five out of six.

Miami can win the AFC East title if it wins its final four games, regardless of what the other division teams do. After today's game, Miami hosts San Francisco, then visits Kansas City and the New York Jets . The Dolphins would have the tiebreaker edges over the Jets (8-4) and New England (7-5) if they can win out and finish 11-5.

"Every game from here on out is like a playoff game for us," said Miami defensive end Vonnie Holliday. "Right now, we've set ourselves up to really pretty much be in control of our own destiny. We just have to win week in and week out."

The most exceptional aspect of the Dolphins' team is its ability to protect the ball. The biggest reason for that is the addition of nine-year veteran quarterback Chad Pennington, signed in August after his release by the New York Jets .

Pennington hasn't been spectacular. But he executes Miami's short passing game and avoids mistakes. He has only six interceptions and has not lost one fumble. He ranks fifth in passer rating (92.8) and eighth in completion percentage (65.4).

"It has helped a whole lot getting a player of that caliber to be the leader of your offense," Miami coach Tony Sparano said.

"We call him 'Coach Pennington,' " said rookie receiver Davone Bess.

Backed by a consistent running game, Pennington has distributed the ball well. Miami has eight players with 15 receptions or more.

Running backs Ronnie Brown (690 yards) and Ricky Williams (512) have the Dolphins ranked 13th in rushing.

"They have two first-round running backs," said Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. "You have to respect them in the run game, which opens up some things in the pass game. They're doing a great job protecting the Football. Pennington's made good decisions."

"The running game sets the table for everything," said Bills defensive tackle Spencer Johnson. "They're a team that does what they do well. The receivers run good routes. Chad Pennington does a good job managing the game. He knows where everybody's supposed to be."

The Bills' pass rushers need an extra dose of patience today, because Pennington will dump the ball off quickly before risking a sack.

"It can get frustrating," Johnson said. "But it's about us not breaking, not giving up big plays, keep pushing and trying to get to him."

The fact Miami ranks seventh in passing offense is a testament to Pennington's quick decision-making and good coaching.

Parcells, the Dolphins' executive vice president hired in January, has overhauled the entire Miami organization, starting with a new general manager (Jeff Ireland) and a new coach (Sparano). There currently are 29 players on the 53-man roster who were not with the Dolphins a year ago. Most of them were not big-name, expensive acquisitions.

This seemingly unspectacular cast has been weaved together by Sparano, former offensive line coach of Dallas, and offensive coordinator Dan Henning, a longtime Parcells crony who has been to three Super Bowls in his 28-year NFL coaching career.

Characteristics of Henning's offense include the extensive use of tight ends, and plenty of motion and shifting to try to outnumber the defense at the point of attack in the running game.

"He's really an awesome offensive mind," Fewell said. "He wants to pull a lot of linemen and get into bunches and toss the ball. He's always been a strong run game guy. He's used his quarterback in a smart way. He's protected him. Chad runs the quick game and makes good decisions."

The Dolphins, of course, also have been creative with the use of the "Wildcat" formation, in which the ball is snapped directly to a running back in a shotgun position.

The Bills think they're prepared for the Wildcat or whatever else the Dolphins will throw at them.

"All the games we lost, we felt like we had a good chance to win," Johnson said. "It was just a matter of us not making a couple plays, or making a turnover. I don't think our confidence is shaken at all. We feel like we can play with anybody in the league. We have to do it."

e-mail: mgaughan@buffnews.com

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Tale of a turnaround

Sizing up the Miami Dolphins' improvement this year:

Category * 2008 * 2007

Record * 7-5 * 1-15 Offense rank * 10th * 28th

Rushing rank * 13th * 23rd

Defense rank * 18th * 23rd

Run D rank * 11th * 32nd

Turnover margin/rank * +10/2nd * -7/22nd