LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -- Both teams knew all they needed to know before the coin toss, rendering the game irrelevant in the playoff picture.

The Miami Dolphins made the playoffs. The Washington Redskins didn't get a first-round bye.

	Dolphins rookie Autry Denson rushed for 81 yards in his first NFL start.

So Sunday turned into an exhibition of sorts, a coronation for the Washington Redskins in front of the home fans before their first playoff appearance in seven years.

With both teams playing subs for much of the game, the Redskins won 21-10. Backup Rodney Peete threw two touchdown passes as Washington got its first victory of the season over a team with a winning record.

"I think 10-6 in the paper looks a lot better than 9-7," Washington guard Tre' Johnson said. "Why would you not want to win? That's bad business, that's a bad philosophy. You can't put a market value on a win over a team like Miami heading into the playoffs."

The Dolphins (9-7), despite their collapse from a 7-1 start, clinched the playoffs for the third consecutive season when the New York Jets beat Seattle 19-9 in an early game. Miami plays at Seattle in a first-round game next Sunday.

"You always feel good about getting in," said Miami receiver O.J. McDuffie, who didn't even suit up for the game. "But at the same time, you hate to back in that way."

The playoff news removed any suspense over whether this would be Dan Marino's last game as a player and-or Jimmy Johnson's last game as coach. In an unusual gesture, Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga flew Marino's family to Washington for the game -- just in case.

GAME NOTES

In what has to be an NFL record, the Redskins changed the name of their stadium for the fourth time this season. First, it was Jack Kent Cooke Stadium. Then Redskins Stadium. Then FedEx Field. Then FedExField -- because Federal Express wanted it to be one word. Local newspapers balked at that idea, so the Redskins returned to the two-word FedEx Field moniker Sunday. Miami brought its weather to the game: It was 67 degrees at kickoff. Injuries: Redskins G Tre' Johnson (bruised thigh), Dolphins CB Jerry Wilson (sprained shoulder). The Redskins bench was penalized 15 yards for obstruction when coach Norv Turner strayed onto the playing field and accidentally tripped an official.

Marino played the first half and again gave the kind of performance that has prompted the retirement questions. He made questionable reads and late throws, completing just 11 of 24 passes for 118 yards and one interception. He finished the regular season with 12 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions.

"We were kind of going in spurts a little bit," Marino said. "We'd move the ball well and then shoot ourselves in the foot."

Damon Huard was 18-for-29 for 162 yards in relief, including a 4-yard touchdown to Oronde Gadsden with 3:09 to play for the game's final score. Johnson said Marino would start next week's game.

For the Redskins, the game became meaningless from a postseason standpoint when the Tampa Bay victory over Chicago was flashed on the scoreboard seconds before the coin toss. The Buccaneers got the bye, while NFC East champion Washington will play host to Detroit on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs.

"It changes now," Washington coach Norv Turner said. "It's a whole different deal. In the playoffs, if you make a mistake that costs you the game, it costs you a chance to play again."

As they've done much of the season, the Dolphins moved the ball reasonably well, but were undone by turnovers.

Their first two drives of the game ended fruitlessly in Redskins territory -- the first when Kevin McKenzie was stripped after a completion at the 32, and the second when Marino's over-the-middle pass was tipped by cornerback Tim Denton to Mark McMillian for the interception inside the 10.

Rookie Autry Denson, making his first NFL start, gave the closest thing to a standout performance for the Dolphins. Though he came into the game with just 18 yards rushing and two yards receiving on the season, Miami made him a workhouse as he carried 21 times for 80 yards and had caught three passes for 26 yards.

The Redskins took the lead in the second quarter when Skip Hicks, starting for the second straight week while Stephen Davis recovers from a sprained ankle, ran 8 yards untouched for the score.

Olindo Mare added to his NFL record with his 39th field goal, a 39-yarder, to make it 7-3 at halftime.

Marino's counterpart, Brad Johnson, also played just a half. Peete came on throw his first touchdown passes for the Redskins: 30 yards to Irving Fryar early in the third quarter and 4 yards to Larry Centers in the fourth to put Washington up 21-3.

In the locker rooms afterward, each player seemed to have his own spin on the unique nature of game. Many Miami players said they would forget the loss right away, while others took it harder.

"You're dealing with professional athletes," guard Kevin Gogan said. "You play a game of pingpong with your wife, you still want to beat her."