The Miami Dolphins are starting to lose the right way

This was closer to the perceived plan prior to the season.

Lose, but with dignity.

Fall, but with pride.

Get closer to franchise changing quarterback Tua Tagliovailoa, but stay reasonably close on the scoreboard.

After an abominable start to the 2019-20, Brian Flores and his increasingly well-organized Miami Dolphins have been doing that lately.

They took a 14-0 lead Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, before dropping the game, 27-14. That dropped their record to 0-7,  and marked the third straight game that they didn’t entirely embarrass themselves. In fact, they covered again — the spread at BetDSI.com and other sportsbooks was 13.5 or 14 at kickoff.

This game turned on a mistake we would be lamenting for weeks if we really wanted them to win — Nick O’Leary letting a ball bounce off his chest, with the carom corralled by former Dolphin defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, the first of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s two interceptions. From there, Miami inexplicably called an all-out blitz on a 3rd-and-20, which caused a short screen to go the distance. The offensive line stopped blocking, and Ryan Fitzpatrick started running for his life. Xavien Howard sat down, a consistent pattern whenever it appears the Dolphins might mess up and win.

And the tank was back on.

The tank that is required to top (or bottom) Cincy, the Jets, and all the other terrible teams this season.

The tank that Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young isn’t so happy about…

Steve Young goes hard @MiamiDolphins for #Tanking.#FinsUp #BigORadioShow pic.twitter.com/ipuvdGwJzf

— Orlando Alzugaray Jr (@BigOShow) October 28, 2019

Here are some of the tweets that told the story (there’s actually some good in here!):

Xavien Howard picks off Rudolph! @Iamxavienhoward @MiamiDolphins #FinsUp

📺: #MIAvsPIT on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/6BUh9hgbzX pic.twitter.com/fkSsYUdzZW

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2019

STRIP SACK 👊👊 @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/xvv3vy2kvg

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 29, 2019

Allen Hurns muscles his way in for the SCORE 💪💪#MIAvsPIT | #MNF

(via @MiamiDolphins)

pic.twitter.com/Myz2oGZCp9

— PFF (@PFF) October 29, 2019

Miami Dolphins Send All-Out Blitz On 3rd And 20, Give Up 45-Yard Touchdown https://t.co/RcfDH3SFpd #DCExclusivesOpinion #SmokeRoom via @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/FH5R3a0CvR

— Chris 🇺🇸 🎃 👻 (@Chris_1791) October 29, 2019

One Fitzpatrick picks off the other, AGAIN. @minkfitz_21 #HereWeGo

📺: #MIAvsPIT on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/6BUh9hgbzX pic.twitter.com/msjeMyGOXK

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2019