The New England Patriots are 7-6 after a 27-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Here’s who we graded UP or DOWN based on their performance in the game…

UP: S Kyle Dugger

The single biggest play of the game: as Cardinals wideout DeAndre Hopkins is carrying the ball loosely, Dugger wraps an arm and knocks it out. Linebacker Raekwon McMillan finished off the play to score the touchdown, but Dugger made the play to get the ball loose in the first place. A big-time play for a guy who has had a bit of an up-and-down season. The hope for the Patriots is this is the start of a hot finish for Dugger and the defense.

DOWN: OT Trent Brown

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 12: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks to throw a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Brown committed two more penalties (false start, ineligible downfield), and often struggled to contain the Cardinals’ edge rushers. Tackle play in general continued to be shaky, and could ultimately be the Patriots’ demise when their season ends. Brown has regressed after a pretty good first half of the season.

UP: LB Raekwon McMillan

Dugger deserves the bulk of the credit for separating the ball from DeAndre Hopkins, but McMillan made a heads-up play to scoop it, stay in bounds, and take it down the sideline for the score. Play through the whistle. That’s what McMillan did there.

DOWN: CB Jonathan Jones

Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) is unable to make a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps a bit of a nitpick, but Jones committed two penalties on the night. It’s hard to get on him too hard, considering how depleted the Patriots are at cornerback. Injuries to Jalen Mills and then Jack Jones left Jonathan Jones as their clear No. 1 outside corner, and that’s not likely to be sustainable against top receivers.

UP: RB Kevin Harris

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 12: Kevin Harris #36 of the New England Patriots scores a 14 yard touchdown against Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Patriots needed a spark, especially after Rhamondre Stevenson went down with an injury. Harris stepped in and delivered, rushing three times for 32 yards and capping the Pats’ first offensive touchdown drive. It was New England’s first lead and a moment that seemed to grow their confidence, for a time, anyway.

DOWN: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley

Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

James Conner barreled through Bentley, and several other Patriots defenders, on his way to the end zone for a touchdown run. Conner averaged 5.7 yards per carry on the night, so when that happens, you have to look at the middle linebackers. The touchdown was a play where you typically see Bentley get the run-stuff, so it was surprising to see him get beat.

UP: LB Josh Uche

It’s time to wonder if Uche is really becoming something. He now has 10 (!) sacks on the season, and all of them have come in his last six games. Uche’s impact is coming as Matthew Judon is drawing more attention on the opposite end, and he’s making the most of his opportunity, generating consistent pressure despite a pure passing-down role. Once Christian Barmore comes back, the Patriots may have a heck of a pass-rushing trio to throw at opponents.

DOWN: TE Jonnu Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 30: Jonnu Smith #81 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 30, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

On a night that everybody else on the Patriots offense contributed in some form or fashion, Smith came up empty-handed. No catches, two targets for Smith. If he can’t emerge as a consistent weapon in a hurry, the Pats may be looking at moving on from his $10 million salary and $17.4 million cap hit in 2023.

UP: RB Pierre Strong Jr.

The Patriots’ first drive of the third quarter was looking shaky to start, as Mac Jones called a timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty then had another vulgar outburst caught on TV. Next play: Strong takes a screen 16 yards. Two plays later: Strong takes a first-and-20 run for 44 yards to get the Pats in the red zone. They only scored three points off the play, but Strong’s big run looks like it was a momentum-shifter in retrospect.

Next Patriots Ups & Downs will come after they face the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday afternoon, in a notable matchup of Bill Belichick vs Josh McDaniels.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.