DAVIE, Fla. — The Dolphins’ defense, the rock of the team, is showing vulnerability.

Miami, which allowed late-game touchdowns in losses to Green Bay and Detroit, gave up 22 fourth-quarter points Sunday in a 39-36 loss at Denver.

Surprisingly, the late-game defense is becoming a problem.

“There have been certain weeks where it hasn’t been where it needs to be, and certainly (Sunday) falls into that category,” coach Joe Philbin said of the Dolphins being outscore 22-8 in the fourth quarter by Denver.

“We have to keep people out of the end zone better in that situation and we have to score more. In that kind of game, offensively, you are going to have to answer blow for blow. That’s just the kind of game we were in. We had a couple of chances. … We have to do better.”

The late-game defense isn’t the only problem. Individuals are starting to put big games on Miami’s defense, and often it’s making a difference between winning and losing.

The defense allowed quarterback Peyton Manning to throw four touchdown passes, running back C.J. Anderson to rush for 167 yards and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to catch nine passes for 125 yards.

The run defense surrendered 201 yards and much of it was due to poor tackling, something that was a problem early in the season.

“It’s disappointing,” defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said. “We pride ourselves on being a good, fundamental football team, and we work on it. But (Sunday) we did not tackle well. It certainly showed up in our overall defensive performance.”

Miami still has a good defense. They’re No. 4 in yards per game (315.9), No. 4 in passing (211.7 ypg), No. 11 in rushing (104.2 ypg) and tied for No. 7 in points per game (19.9).

But the late-game defense is missing. Philbin knows that’s a quality good teams possess.

“They step up and make plays at critical times,” Philbin said. “At some point in time, we have to be able to do that.

“We’ve won a lot of games — double digits in the six wins we’ve had. We’ve had some good margin of victory in those games, but you look at the last three losses we’ve had and what are they by? Three, four and three points. We have to find a way to win some of those games.”

NOTES: LT Jason Fox played the second half as a replacement for starter rookie Ja’Wuan James (stinger) and the veteran held his own, once again showing Miami has good offensive line depth. James is not expected to miss Miami’s game against the New York Jets on Monday. … CB Jamar Taylor is day-to-day with the left shoulder injury he suffered during the game, according to a source. Taylor, who was making his second consecutive start in place of Cortland Finnegan (ankle), could play Monday. … TE Charles Clay (knee, hamstring) missed Sunday’s game and his status for this week is unknown.

REPORT CARD vs. BRONCOS

–PASSING OFFENSE: B — QB Ryan Tannehill (3 TDs, 1 INT) had a strong showing, and so did the receivers and pass protectors. The problem was the fourth-quarter INT that led to Denver’s 39-28 lead with 3:13 left.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: B — RB Lamar Miller (12 carries, 59 yards) did well, and Tannehill had his first rushing TD of the season. Miami rushed for 97 yards and two TDs, which was good. But it wasn’t difference-making.

–PASS DEFENSE: C-minus — It’s tough going against Peyton Manning (4 TDs, 0 INTs). But Miami’s DL didn’t show up and the Dolphins allowed WR Emmanuel Sanders 125 yards receiving and WR Demaryius Thomas three touchdowns. That can’t happen.

–RUSH DEFENSE: F — Run defense was bad. The Broncos rushed for 301 yards, and RB C.J. Anderson totaled 167 yards and a TD. Poor tackling was the main culprit. It was an unacceptable performance by the entire unit.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: B — The only major error was the onside kick that didn’t work in the fourth quarter. But they caused and recovered a fumble. They had a good game, but they didn’t make any influential plays on a day in which Miami needed a couple.

–COACHING: C — Injuries were a factor, but the run defense and pass defense weren’t trounced because of them. Offensively, things were good, but not good enough. Defensively, things weren’t very good, and that’s a major reason Miami lost.