The Patriots are 8-8 after a big win over the Dolphins in Foxboro. Here’s who we graded UP or DOWN based on their performance in the game…

UP: S Kyle Dugger

For the second time in three games, Dugger made a dynamic play to score a pick-six that changed the momentum in the game. The Patriots never trailed agin after that. Consistency and health have been issues for Dugger, but he’s had a very good season overall and he will be a bright spot to take away from the season. The arrow continues to point up for him in New England.

DOWN: S Devin McCourty

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots misses an interception against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

McCourty described his dropped interception as “a shitty play.” Pretty spot-on. McCourty had all day to line up the INT and couldn’t bring it in. The play wasn’t too consequential, but there weren’t many DOWNs to go around here, so McCourty gets a DOWN for a play that could end up on ESPN’s “C’Mon Man!” Monday night.

UP: WR Tyquan Thornton

Thornton has had more productive games this season, but the rookie led all Patriots receivers in snaps (56 of 58) and made some of the most impactful plays in the passing game. Felt like a make-good for a bad drop in last week’s loss to the Bengals. Thornton could be heating up at the best possible time.

DOWN: DB Brenden Schooler

Schooler and DeMarcus Mitchell extend a Patriots’ streak. For the 19th straight year, the team features at least one undrafted free agent on its initial 53-man roster. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Schooler has mostly been effective as a mainstay on the Patriots’ special teams coverage units, but he made a potentially costly mistake in this game. His running into the kicker penalty turned a Dolphins punt into a fourth-and-1 try, which they converted and eventually took to the end zone for a touchdown. Not a ton of mental errors by the Patriots overall in this game, but Schooler’s was a big one.

UP: DT Christian Barmore

Jan 1, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) reacts after a sack against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The Pats had a solid pass-rush across the board today, but Barmore was especially disruptive up the gut, which forced the Dolphins’ quarterbacks to get off their spot and make plays on the run. If the Patriots make the playoffs and/or go on a surprise run, it’ll be on the strength of their pass-rush, and it looks like Barmore is fully back and ready to be a force on the interior again.

DOWN: OG Michael Onwenu

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots is sacked by Christian Wilkins #94 of the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Onwenu gets the unfortunate nod for the Patriots’ offensive interior, which seemed to have trouble containing the Dolphins’ Christian Wilkins and others in that area. They couldn’t get much going in the run game up the middle and occasionally faced pressure. Onwenu was beat on the Pats’ fourth-down failure in the fourth quarter, which made things a tad squirrelly near the end.

UP: WR Jakobi Meyers

Meyers has had a nice two-game rebound from his infamous lateral in a loss to the Raiders. He was the go-to guy for Mac Jones on the Patriots’ touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, which it turns out they really needed. The pair audibled at the line of scrimmage on the touchdown, which seemed to catch even some of their own teammates by surprise. Meyers is showing what people outside of New England may not have known about him after that Raiders play: he is a gamer and a crucial piece for the Patriots offense.

DOWN: P Michael Palardy

Dec 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots punter Michael Palardy (17) drops the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Palardy had one punt that went 58 yards, but averaged 38.5 yards on his other four punts. Just a bad day for the journeyman, who may soon be replaced by Jake Bailey, as the latter appears close to returning.

Next edition of Patriots Ups & Downs will come after the Pats take on the Bills in Week 18. Gonna be do-or-die time.

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.