"OK, so maybe this wasn't "Porter's House," the weekly segment Joey Porter tapes for the league-run television arm.

But the man with the self-described alter ego called "Peezy" still set the early tone Thursday night on the NFL Network.

Clearly invigorated by his one-game benching four days earlier, the veteran linebacker keyed a strong Dolphins pass rush that produced four sacks and a much-needed 24-17 win over the Carolina Panthers.

"Joey kind of got it started," said Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, who made the decision to sit Porter down for reasons still not fully explained. "I was pleased with the pass rush. We needed it."

On an evening filled with smack talk and vicious hits, the Dolphins (5-5) climbed back to .500 for the first time since their season began more than two months ago. Now they have 10 days to prepare for a trip to frigid Buffalo on Thanksgiving weekend.

Even with Pro Bowl running back Ronnie Brown (fractured right foot) becoming the latest to join their overcrowded injured reserve list, the Dolphins kept alive their flickering hopes of a second straight playoff berth.

The win wasn't secure, however, until Tyrone Culver batted down a Jake Delhomme pass in the end zone on the game's final play from the Miami 26. That came after a questionable Dolphins decision to eschew a potential 46-yard field goal and give the Panthers the ball back on downs at their 28 with 39 seconds remaining.

Sparano explained that move by saying he was concerned his patchwork offensive line might not be able to keep the Panthers from blocking Dan Carpenter's attempt."