The Miami Dolphins lost to the New York Jets in their NFL game last night, but it was the Buffalo Bills who celebrated.

Buffalo slipped into the AFC play-offs following New York's 38-31 win over the Dolphins in a shoot-out.

The Dolphins (9-6), who began the season 7-1 and have lost five of their past seven games, face the Washington Redskins in next weekend's final round in the regular season.

Only two spots remain in the AFC play-offs and the Seattle Seahawks and the Kansas City Chiefs are also alive. New York (7-8) has relished its role as a spoiler this season by beating play-off hopefuls.

It was the second time in two weeks the Jets had triumphed over Miami, which has turned into a soap opera venue because of the rocky relationship between quarterback Dan Marino and head coach Jimmy Johnson.

Marino, whose future is uncertain, was intercepted three times as he threw three touchdowns, completing 29-of-52 for 322 yards in a busy night's work, while New York's Ray Lucas was 11-of-23 for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Lucas has thrown 11 touchdowns in his past four games.

He sealed the game in last quarter with a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wayne Chrebet to put New York 31-28 in front with 10.41 left.

A key play in the first half was when New York's Marcus Coleman intercepted Marino and returned it for a 98-yard touchdown, It was the seventh time this season a Miami interception has been returned for a score, tying an NFL record. Miami kicker Olindo Mare also set a new NFL mark when he booted his 38th field goal for the season.

Marino, who is stuck on 147 wins as a starter is one short of the record held by Denver Broncos John Elway, said the Dolphins played hard, made mistakes and now had to "suck it up and play hard next week."

New York head coach Bill Parcells described the win as the best of the season. He has a career 9-3 record over Johnson.