Miami allowed 316 yards passing by Carson Palmer, gave up a touchdown on a fumble return and staggered to the end of the worst season in franchise history today, losing 38-25 to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Dolphins became the eighth team to finish 1-15 and flopped in their audition for Parcells. He started work Thursday as executive vice president of football operations and watched the game from a press box suite with retired Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf.

Only an overtime win against Baltimore two weeks ago allowed Miami to avoid the NFL's first 0-16 season, and it's uncertain whether coach Cam Cameron will return for a second year.

Cameron is expected to discuss his status with Parcells soon. General manager Randy Mueller's future is also uncertain.

Palmer went 23-for-32 and threw for three scores to help the Bengals finish 7-9. It's their first losing season since 2002, the year before Marvin Lewis took over as coach.

Palmer finished with 4,131 yards passing to break the Cincinnati record of 4,035 he set last year.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh made nine receptions to tie New England's Wes Welker for the NFL lead with 112, a Bengals record, but dropped the final pass thrown to him. Chad Johnson had four catches for 131 yards to reach 1,440 yards, another team record.

Johnson, playing in his hometown for the first time since turning pro, caught touchdown passes of 2 and 70 yards. Palmer also threw a 4-yard scoring pass to Antonio Chatman with 4 seconds left in the first half to put the Bengals ahead 21-10.

They won in Miami for the first time since 1968.

Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon left the game in the third quarter with a hip injury. On the next play, rookie replacement John Beck fumbled a snap from the shotgun, and Chinedum Ndukwe scooped up the ball and ran 54 yards for a touchdown.

The play was Beck's first since his fumble was returned for a touchdown at Buffalo three weeks ago.

The rookie settled down to finish the season in encouraging fashion. He directed the first two touchdown drives of his career, capping the second by throwing a 22-yard scoring pass to Derek Hagan with 28 seconds left.

Beck also hit Hagan for a two-point conversion.

The Bengals converted five third-down situations on their opening possession, including the final play, a short touchdown pass to Johnson. He lost his helmet when hit in the end zone but held onto the ball.

Miami drove 72 yards in the second quarter and scored on Lemon's 5-yard pass to Ted Ginn Jr. for a 10-7 lead, but it lasted only 36 seconds. Johnson cut over the middle for a short reception, eluded defender Jason Allen and broke clear for the score.