Dan Campbell isn’t brushing off Drake Maye just because the Patriots quarterback has been giving the ball away.
With the Lions headed into Sunday’s NFL matchup in Munich, Germany, the Detroit coach made it clear Friday that the interceptions are only part of the picture. The bigger issue, in Campbell’s eyes, is how quickly Maye can flip a game with a single throw.
“What I look at more than [interceptions] with Drake Maye is his explosive passes. Like, I understand there’s some interceptions here, but more importantly, this guy, he’s got the ability to hit these chunk plays, 40 yards, 50 yards down the field. You give him more than four seconds, he is dangerous,” Campbell told reporters.
Campbell also described Maye as “absolutely deadly” when he gets outside the pocket, a skill set that gives Detroit plenty to worry about even with the Patriots quarterback coming off a rough stretch.
Maye is trying to bounce back from a three-interception outing in a 45-27 loss at home to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. His 11 interceptions are tied for the league lead with Justin Herbert of the winless Los Angeles Chargers.
At the same time, the Patriots quarterback has still produced plenty of big plays. He ranks sixth in passing yards and fourth in touchdown passes this season, and he has completed four throws of at least 48 yards, including a season-long 63-yard completion.
Detroit’s defense has created its own takeaways, including six interceptions and two from Chuck Clark, but Campbell still sees Maye as a problem because of the full range of what he can do. That includes his ability to scramble for first downs or touchdowns, not just beat defenses from the pocket.
The matchup also gives New England a path to attack through the air. Detroit is last in pass defense, allowing 260.9 yards per game.
The Lions enter the game on a four-game winning streak and are within reach of the Chicago Bears in the NFC North race. The Patriots, meanwhile, have won only once in their past three games, with that victory coming against the one-win Miami Dolphins.
Kickoff is set for approximately 9:30 a.m. ET in Munich on Sunday, Nov. 15.
In Other News...
Dan Campbell Had Lions Fans Cracking Up Before Patriots Clash
Dan Campbell brought a little extra personality to the Lions' week in Munich before the matchup with the Patriots, turning a routine press conference into a reminder of why he remains one of the league's most entertaining coaches. Asked about the trip, Campbell leaned into the setting with a self-aware take on his limited German and even poked fun at his own efforts to pick up a few words along the way.
He also said he planned to try German beer during the visit, which only added to the light tone around a Lions team trying to stay loose while handling the business of an overseas game. Campbell has never been shy about mixing humor with his message, and this stop in Germany gave him another chance to do it in front of a crowd that seemed to enjoy every bit of it. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Head To Germany With Amon-Ra Uncertainty Hanging Over Offense
Amon-Ra St. Browns status has become the biggest offensive question hanging over the Lions as they head to Germany for their latest international stage. The receiver is listed as questionable because of a rib injury, though he did take part in practice on a limited basis and still sounded eager for the chance to play overseas.
Sione Vaki is in a similar spot after being listed as questionable and working in a limited role, while the Lions will be without D.J. Reed, Cade Mays and Kerby Joseph after all three were ruled out and did not travel with the team. For a roster already dealing with uncertainty, the trip adds another layer of intrigue around how Detroit will line up once the game gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Head To Munich With Key Depth Pieces Suddenly Under Pressure
The trip to Munich comes with a little extra urgency for Detroit, and not just because it is an international stage. With the Lions set to face the Patriots, a few depth pieces suddenly matter a lot more than they did a week ago, starting with cornerback Rakestraw, who is expected to be leaned on in the absence of D.J. Reed. Up front, center Scruggs is in line to start again for Cade Mays, giving the Lions another chance to see how the line holds up with a different look in the middle.
There is also some pressure on the passing game to get more out of wide receiver TeSlaa, who has yet to make much of an impact this season. Detroit needs more from that spot if it wants to keep Jared Goff's passing game moving efficiently, especially against a Patriots defense that will be looking to make the Lions earn every yard. For a team trying to stay sharp on a long road trip, these are the kinds of roles that can quietly shape the outcome. [Read more 🡒]