Dolphins are winless and soggy

PITTSBURGH -- Not even a storm, Joey Porter’s spirited homecoming and Ricky Williams’ long-awaited return to the NFL could alter the Miami Dolphins’ path to infamy.

All the 25-minute lightning delay at the start of Monday night’s game did was delay the inevitable, a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a mud-slicked Heinz Field.

Steelers kicker Jeff Reed atoned for a 44-yard missed field-goal attempt when he ended a short drive with a game-winning 24-yarder with 17 seconds left, making this the sixth game this season that the Dolphins have lost by three points.

The Dolphins fell to 0-11, the worst start in the NFL since the Lions began 0-12 in 2001, as they continue to threaten the dubious record of the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished 0-14.

Meanwhile, the Steelers (8-3) extended their Monday night home-winning streak to 13 while holding on to first place in the AFC North.

Porter gave himself some trash-talking ammunition with his first interception of the season, stifling the Steelers’ opening drive at the Dolphins’ 25-yard line. Porter, who had done little to prove the Rooney family wrong for letting him go to the Dolphins in the off-season for $32 million, seemed to inspire his defensive brethren as they held the Steelers scoreless for more than 59 minutes.

Of course, the atrocious field conditions -- possibly exacerbated by Steelers management’s re-sodding the field over the weekend -- contributed to the low score. Also, the Steelers were without Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu and their leading receiver, Santonio Holmes.

“The defense has been outstanding in the past few weeks,” Dolphins Coach Cam Cameron said. “The field was an issue for both teams.”

Ricky Williams, fresh off an 18-month suspension for violating the league’s drug policy, had six carries for 15 yards before his day was cut short when linebacker James Farrior forced him to fumble, and linebacker Lawrence Timmons -- who recovered it -- inadvertently stepped on Williams’ chest.

Quarterback John Beck began the fourth quarter by connecting with Marty Booker for completions of 20 and 21 yards to set Jay Feely up for a 34-yard field goal.

However, the treacherous footing betrayed Feely, who kicked it into the line. But a delay of game penalty gave the Dolphins a second chance. Cameron eschewed the 39-yarder into a driving rainstorm, and Beck was sacked and stripped of the ball on fourth down.