FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Miami Dolphins lost their fifth consecutive game in the same fashion they did their previous four.

There was the weekly string of turnovers, which included two interceptions and a fumble in Sunday's 35-17 loss to the New England Patriots. The defense also had penalties that extended drives and busted coverages. The Patriots didn't have to play their best and still doubled up the Dolphins for their ninth straight win over Miami at Gillette Stadium.

Every week Miami talks about making corrections, but by and large they're not applied. The conclusion: The Dolphins simply are not good enough, don't have enough football IQ, or both.

"Hey, sometimes you have to look at yourself in the mirror, man to man, and tell the truth," safety and captain Michael Thomas said. "We've just got to go to work and find a way to get one win. That's it."

The truth is a single win is hard to come by for the Dolphins (4-7) these days. They haven't won since Oct. 22 against the New York Jets. Next week's matchup against the Denver Broncos (3-8) looks winnable. But is anything a safe bet for the Dolphins this year?

The Dolphins are digging a hole from which they simply won't be able to climb out. Their only hope of making a late playoff push would be to run the table in the final five games. That seems unlikely with the product they are consistently putting on the field.

"I think they are still battling," head coach Adam Gase said. "I mean, we have been practicing good. That's the frustrating part, more than anything, and it's not translating to Sunday. We are still making a few mistakes that are really hurting us. ... Guys just have to do their job. They have to trust what they are being told and do exactly what they are supposed to do, and that's when we start having better results."

Pass protection, which has been an issue all year, was a major problem against New England. Matt Moore was sacked a season-high seven times, threw two interceptions and fell to 0-2 as a starter this season. Miami probably will turn back to veteran quarterback Jay Cutler next week if he gets out of concussion protocol.

Miami's vibe was much different a year ago when it won 10 games and made a push to the playoffs. This year, the Dolphins are on the verge of not having much to play for in the season's final month and look worn down from the constant losing.

"You play for your guys in the locker room," Moore said. "As far as getting things right, it's the same story every week. You go back, you work and you do what you can to get better physically and mentally."