Potential win turns into 7th straight loss

PITTSBURGH — The Miami Dolphins were clicking on all cylinders.

Xavien Howard returned from a twogame hiatus and got his first interception of the season on the first defensive series.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two touchdowns in the first quarter — the first of the season for Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns — as Miami’s offense had seemed to finally find its groove during its disappointing start this season.

The Dolphins jumped out to a two-score lead, had Pittsburgh Steelers fans in Heinz Field booing their beloved home team, and were making an impression on a national stage during Monday Night Football.

Coach Brian Flores and the Dolphins seemed primed to finally get their first win of the season.

That’s before one questionable decision, shortly before halftime, derailed their momentum.

Pittsburgh scored 27 unanswered points to beat Miami 27-14, handing the Dolphins their seventh straight loss to start the season.

And it brought focus on the issue the Dolphins franchise has been dealing with all season: Are they truly tanking to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft?

The Dolphins had quarterback Mason Rudolph and the Steelers offense facing a third-and-20 from the Miami 45-yard line with 17 seconds left until halftime.

The Dolphins called a timeout. Then Flores and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham called for an all-out blitz, leaving just three defenders to man the secondary.

Rudolph threw a short pass to receiver Diontae Johnson in the middle of the field, Howard fell out of position on the left side of the field, and the Steelers scored a 45-yard touchdown to trim Miami’s lead to 14-10. It was an aggressive defensive choice when the Dolphins had down, distance, field position and momentum all in their favor. And the Dolphins paid for it.

Former Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had two interceptions with his new team, Juju Smith-Schuster and James Connor scored touchdowns after both turnovers thrown by Fitzpatrick, and the Dolphins have now lost 10 games in a row dating to last season.

The Dolphins entered the game winless just like the Cincinnati Bengals (0-8), but the competition for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft is heating up with nine weeks left in the regular season. The Jets (1-6), Redskins (1-7) and Falcons (1-7) are also in the running.