The Patriots are 7-7 after a stunning last-second loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Here’s who we graded UP or DOWN based on their performance in the game…

UP: S Kyle Dugger

Dugger made the game’s most dynamic defensive play – arguably the most dynamic play, period – with his 13-yard pick-six against Derek Carr. Dugger read the play and timed his run perfectly, getting in the way of Carr’s quick screen and corralling the bobbled ball into his hands for a walk-in touchdown. It’s rare that you see one player score such an easy defensive touchdown all by himself, and not necessarily through any fault of the opposing offense.

DOWN: WR Jakobi Meyers

There’s no sugarcoating that ending. Meyers made one of the worst mistakes you’ll ever see in an NFL game when he inexplicably tried to lateral the ball back to Mac Jones on the final play of the fourth quarter in a tie game. Chandler Jones picked it off and took it back for a shocking game-winning score. The mistake undid a big 39-yard catch on a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that put the Patriots ahead 24-17.

Meyers owned the mistake when he spoke to reporters after the game: “I promise you I’ll learn from it. Try to be better next time.”

UP: RB Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson also made an ill-advised lateral, so he shouldn’t be totally off the hook for that play. But Stevenson was one of the few reasons the Patriots had a late lead in the first place. His 34-yard touchdown run put the Pats ahead for the first time in the game, and he averaged a ridiculous 9.1 yards per carry. The final play is really more a mistake of coaching, ultimately. So, although Meyers can’t be let off the hook for his insanely bad lateral attempt, we’ll give Stevenson a pass.

DOWN: S Jabrill Peppers

Eventful day for the Patriots’ safeties, for better and for worse. If they ended up losing this game any other way, we’d be pointing at the Raiders’ blocked punt late in the second quarter, which set up a Mack Hollins touchdown that made it 17-3 at the time. Peppers didn’t look ready and the Raiders’ Malcolm Koonce blew by him. Peppers also committed a holding penalty in the game. A potentially season-killing special teams breakdown.

UP: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Ja’Whaun Bentley #8 of the New England Patriots celebrates a sack during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Bentley was a force in this game. He finished with a team-high 10 tackles and also logged a sack. He was key to the Patriots’ consistent pressure on Derek Carr and limiting the damage from Josh Jacobs and their receivers after the catch.

DOWN: QB Mac Jones

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Jones finished with a 52.1 passer rating – 13-of-31, 112 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions. In a cruel twist for the struggling Patriots offense, this was a good day for the offensive line, and Jones simply couldn’t make enough good throws despite having good protection (no sacks). The most glaring issue with Jones was his throwing accuracy; plays were there to be made, and he was off the mark on too many occasions. A clutch, pinpoint 39-yard throw to Meyers on the go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter was too little, too late.

UP: Offensive Line

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts at the line of scrimmage during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

Speaking of that O-line…it was a surprisingly good day for this unit. Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby combined for five QB hits, but other than that, the pressure on Jones was minimal. On top of that, they rushed for 226 yards on 32 carries as a team (7.1-yard average). It’s only fair to give this group a thumbs-up when they play well enough to win.

DOWN: S Adrian Phillips

Phillips got burned on Darren Waller’s second-quarter touchdown, highlighting the Patriots’ inconsistency covering tight ends in the passing game. That’s not his strength, and so it’s fair to ask if the coaches put him in position to succeed on the play. But that touchdown was too easy for Carr and Waller.

Next Patriots Ups & Downs will come after they face the Cincinnati Bengals on Christmas Eve, next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.

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.