DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Joe Philbin is coming one of his most successful weekends yet as the Miami Dolphins' first-year coach.

He won a game - and some important endorsements. Perfect-season coach Don Shula and several of his players, in town for their 40th reunion, said Philbin has the Dolphins headed in the right direction.

Despite Sunday's 24-3 victory over woeful Jacksonville, the Dolphins (6-8) are virtually out of the playoff race and will finish at .500 or worse for the fourth consecutive season. That's a far cry from perfection, as several 1972 Dolphins noted.

But they voiced support for Philbin, and also for the team's two often-criticized decision-makers, general manager Jeff Ireland and owner Stephen Ross.

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