The superlatives are starting to run out for Kyle Dugger, who re-ignited the Patriots' lagging playoff hopes with a monster pick-six to help New England knock off the Miami Dolphins for the first time since 2020.
Jonathan Jones watches him play every day, and he's keeping it simple.
"He's a dog. He's somebody you got to deal with," he said of his star teammate. "You can put him anywhere on the field. He can run guys over. He can run with guys. He's just a matchup problem."
Dugger's 39-yard swipe-and-score off of Teddy Bridgewater netted the third-year safety his third defensive touchdown this season, something no Patriot has done since the 1970s, and marks the third time in four weeks he's changed a game with a big defensive play.
"We needed that. That was one of the key moments of the game," Jones said of the momentum-altering score. "That's something 'Dugg' does. He always makes plays, whether it's a big tackle or interceptions. He's always around the ball. He's a ball-player. … You don't get a lot of Kyle Duggers in your locker room. He's a special guy."
Matthew Judon, who's probably going to make an All-Pro team this year, went just as heavy on the Dugger praise in even fewer words at the postgame podium: "I think you're going to have to write Kyle a blank check. That's how good he is."
We'll see if the Patriots see it the same way this off-season. There's no doubt Dugger's deserving of it after putting together the kind of star turn he's had.
True to form, of course, Dugger said during his postgame remarks that he's nowhere near where he wants to be as a player just yet.
"I've learned a lot, but I definitely know I have so much to learn still," he said.
"A ton. I still mess up things I know I shouldn't be messing up. Things like being consistent is still huge for me, so I got a lot to work on still."
When you see plays like the one he made against the Dolphins and realize Dugger actually could get better, that's a scary thought for the league.
