FOXBORO — Neither the Patriots nor the Dolphins is willing to say that Sunday’s game will have a playoff-type atmosphere, but there’s no denying its importance. Not only will it likely go a long way toward furthering — or ending — the postseason chances of the teams, but for the Dolphins there’s a bit more to gain.

“It has the ability to make a statement for our team as far as where we’re at and how far we’ve come since last season,” running back Ronnie Brown said yesterday when asked whether another victory against the Pats could serve as a springboard for Miami.

“It’s a great opportunity, in that sense, and I think everybody knows that. I don’t think anybody should focus too much on it to where they put any added pressure as far as going into a game.”

After a dismal 1-15 season last year, with the only victory coming in Week 15 in overtime, the Dolphins are 6-4, thanks to a four-game winning streak, and relevant for the first time in a few years.

First-year head coach Tony Sparano has been careful not to make the game into something bigger than it is.

“I think way back when this whole thing first started, these were the kind of games you want to be in. This is where you want to have your team at some point to be able to play in these kinds of games,” Sparano said. “This isn’t the Super Bowl that we’re playing out here on Sunday. It’s just another one of our games. It’s another divisional game. With that being said, it’s important. It’s a big game. For a long time here, for the last several years here, we’ve been looking up at a bunch of these teams and we have an opportunity here late in November to be looking right in their eyes.”

When Brown was asked whether Sunday might have a playoff feel, he noted that he wouldn’t know because he’s never been to the playoffs.

Injury report

Richard Seymour has been slowed this week by a toe injury. Ty Warren missed last week’s game with a groin problem.

So when reporters started taking attendance at Patriots practice yesterday and noticed that Vince Wilfork wasn’t on the field, it didn’t seem like a good sign for the defensive line.

But when New England released its injury/participation report later in the afternoon, it showed that Wilfork’s absence was not injury related, and Pats fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relief.

Though Wilfork was hampered by a toe injury before the Buffalo game, he played against the Jets. Warren has been practicing fully this week and is not on New England’s injury report. Seymour, however, has been limited the last two days, though that could be merely a precaution as the Pats will need all hands on deck against the Dolphins’ running back tandem of Brown and Ricky Williams.

Joining Wilfork in the did-not-participate category yesterday: RB LaMont Jordan (right calf), LB Adalius Thomas (right forearm) and LB Eric Alexander (hamstring).

Tedy Bruschi (knee) made his first appearance of the season on the report, listed as limited. C Dan Koppen (elbow), CB Mike Richardson (concussion) and S/WR Ray Ventrone (concussion) all had full participation. Heath Evans inadvertently drove his helmet into Koppen’s elbow during the Jets game. Koppen left the game but returned later.

smanza@projo.com