MIAMI GARDENS — For the second time this season, we could be watching a Super Bowl preview in a regular-season Miami Dolphins game.

This time it’s the Dolphins (10-4) hosting the Dallas Cowboys (10-4) at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

The previous possible Super Bowl preview was the Dolphins visiting the Philadelphia Eagles and losing, 31-17.

And we’ve also previously seen a possible AFC Championship matchup with the Dolphins playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany (a 21-14 Dolphins loss).

The only other team Miami has played this season that currently has a winning record is Buffalo, and the Dolphins lost that game too, 48-20.

So, you see the pattern — Miami hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record yet this season.

That’s one of the many things to watch for in Sunday’s game. Here’s the list: 

Narrative: Dolphins strong at home, Cowboys weak on road

Miami, despite that upsetting 28-27 loss to Tennessee two games ago, has been strong at home this season with a 6-1 record. In fact, Miami is 12-3 under coach Mike McDaniel at Hard Rock Stadium. 

Dallas has been incredibly weak on the road. Dallas is 3-4 on the road this season, including an early-season 28-16 loss at lowly Arizona. The Cowboys have an 18.2-points per game difference on the road (21.7 points per game) and at home (39.8 ppg).

Yes, there’s a narrative of Miami being unable to beat a good team this season. But Dallas shared that same narrative before its 33-13 home win against Philadelphia two games ago, so that’s almost a push.

Both of these teams have their shortcomings when it comes to narratives and season storylines.

Dolphins’ health

This is one of the biggest keys to a Miami victory. Among players who missed last Sunday’s 30-0 victory over the New York Jets — wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle), safeties Jevon Holland (knees) and DeShon Elliott (concussion) and cornerback Xavien Howard (hip) — it’s almost certain each should return except perhaps Elliott.

Also keep an eye on left tackles Terron Armstead (knee/ankle) and Kendall Lamm (back), right tackle Austin Jackson (oblique) and center Liam Eichenberg (calf). And if there are any injuries on the interior offensive line behind Eichenberg and guards Lester Cotton and Robert Jones, things get really dicey because each is already a backup.

If the Dolphins are relatively healthy, they have a good chance of protecting homefield and winning. If they’re relatively beaten up, look out because anything could happen.

De-fense!

Both teams play excellent defense. Miami is No. 5 in total defense (293.4 yards allowed per game) and Dallas is No. 6 (294.3 ypg allowed).

The Dolphins could get their injured secondary back (Howard, Holland and Elliott missed the Jets game while cornerback Jalen Ramsey started), which would be crucial considering Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (1,306 yards, eight touchdowns) is on the other side of the field. Miami’s front seven, led by linemen Christian Wilkins (54 tackles, 8.0 sacks) and Zach Sieler (46 tackles, 7.5 sacks), has been fierce all season. Miami ranks No. 4 in rushing defense (90.4 ypg allowed). 

Of course, on the other side of the ball Hill (league-leading 1,542 yards) is among the top players in the league regardless of position. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has thrown two pick-sixes (interceptions returned for touchdowns) this season must keep an eye on Dallas cornerback DaRon Bland (league-leading eight interceptions, five returned for touchdowns). Dallas is No. 19 in run defense (117.4 ypg aloowed) and No. 4 against the pass (176.9 ypg allowed). 

Miami’s defense is No. 2 in sacks (48) while Dallas is tied for No. 11 (40).

Offensive fireworks

Yes, both defenses are good, but Miami is No. 1 in scoring (31.5 points per game) and Dallas is No. 2 (30.8 ppg). Both teams can score in bunches. But as stated earlier, Dallas averages 18.2 ppg less on the road than at home. That’s a big deal. 

Dallas scored 40 points on the road in a season-opening win against the New York Giants but hasn’t scored more than 23 points in any of its other six road games and has only reached the 20-point barrier twice aside from the Giants game.

Dolphins’ Hill, Cowboys’  Lamb

Hill and Lamb will be the focal points of both offenses. They’re high-quality wide receivers with high-quality quarterbacks in Tagovailoa (3,921 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 106.0 passer rating) and Dak Prescott (3,639 yards, 28 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 104.0 passer rating). 

Miami should have Howard and Ramsey available at cornerback to defend Prescott, and Dallas should have Bland, who replaces the injured Trevon Diggs, and Stephon Gilmore at cornerbacks to handle Hill (and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle).

The Dolphins have the more dangerous lead receiver (Hill) and the more dangerous receiving duo overall.