MIAMI (AP) The Miami Dolphins won another thriller with Dan Marino watching from the sideline, and that's where he may remain for a while.

Backup Damon Huard helped the Dolphins take a quick lead in his first NFL start, and they held on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 16-13 Sunday when a tricky breeze blew Norm Johnson's 42-yard field goal attempt wide right in the final minute.

The Dolphins notched only their second victory in the past 11 games when Marino doesn't play. He's unable to throw because of a bone spur in his lower neck, and ESPN reported he'll fly to California on Tuesday to see a specialist.

Team officials declined to comment on the report.

"When I go, it's my business, no one else's," Marino said, refusing to elaborate.

Marino suited up, but didn't throw before the game. He missed a start for the first time since 1996, a span of 50 games.

"He's still having problems throwing the ball," coach Jimmy Johnson said.

Even without the future Hall of Famer, the Dolphins (5-1) retained a one-half game lead in the AFC East. Their past four wins have been by a total of 10 points.

"It's nerve-wracking," middle linebacker Zach Thomas said. "I don't even like watching. My heart's fine, but my hair - I think I'm going to be the first one in my family to go bald."

The finish was also familiar for the Eagles (2-5), who remained hapless on offense and luckless in close games. They totaled just 175 yards and now have three losses by a total of five points.

"There are a lot of things we know we could do better," guard Jeff Dellenbach said. "We feel we're taking steps in the right direction. I just wish we'd start taking giants steps instead of little ones."

The Dolphins had the better quarterback, and the best kicker. Olindo Mare made field goals of 37, 37 and 53 yards, extending his streak of kicks without a miss to 17, a Miami record.

Huard outplayed counterpart Doug Pederson, who was 13-for-25 for 108 yards with four sacks. The Eagles offense totaled just 175 yards, but coach Andy Reid chose not to use rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb.

"I was feeling comfortable with Doug," Reid said. "He did some nice things, and there were some things he did I'm sure he wasn't pleased about."

Stingy defense allowed Miami to overcome one glaring mistake by Huard, an interception returned 67 yards for a touchdown by Brian Dawkins. Huard finished 15-for-21 for 142 yards and picked up three first downs on keepers.

"There's a lot of room for improvement," Huard said. "But anytime you win in your first start, you feel pretty good about it."

Cecil Collins rushed for 97 yards and Miami controlled the ball for 36 minutes despite throwing a season-low 21 passes.

"I want to run it enough to where we're boring," Johnson said. "I love these 16-13 boring games."

Miami raced to a 10-0 lead and held on when Philadelphia failed to make the most of two scoring chances in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 16-10, the Eagles drove to the Miami 7, but a holding penalty and sack pushed them back to the 26, and Johnson kicked a 44-yard field goal with 6:08 to go.

Dawkins recovered Collins' fumble at the Philadelphia 42 with 2:33 left. The Eagles reached the Miami 24, but after Pederson's third-and-2 pass was incomplete, Johnson missed with 52 seconds to go.

Johnson, 9-for-10 previously this season inside 50 yards, thought he hit the ball well.

"I was elated," he said. "Then I looked up and it started drifting right. It's not the way it usually drifts for a right-handed kicker. I was very surprised."

Notes: The Eagles were depleted at linebacker. Rookie Barry Gardner left the game in the first quarter with a sprained right knee, and Mike Caldwell missed the game with a sore hamstring. ... The Dolphins rushed for a season-high 149 yards without their best-run blocker, Mark Dixon, who missed the game due to a sore groin. ... The Dolphins haven't allowed anyone to rush for 100 yards or a touchdown ... Philadelphia's offense failed to score a touchdown for the fourth time in seven games. ... Mare's 53-yard field goal matched the longest of his career. The kick was his 17th in a row without a miss, breaking the team record set of 16 by Garo Yepremian in 1978. ... Philadelphia fell to 0-5 in Miami. ... The Dolphins have won four games by a field goal or less, matching a season record set in 1980.