It’s Germany week for the Detroit Lions, and the schedule is about to get loud in a hurry.
Detroit (6-2) heads overseas to face the New England Patriots (5-4) before turning right around for games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears over an 11-day stretch. That’s a brutal run, and it starts with a matchup that could shape the NFC North race.
The division picture is already a mess in the best possible way. A Lions win on Sunday would put Detroit at 7-2 and 2-0 in the division, while the Bears would also sit at 7-2 but at 0-2 in NFC North play with their bye week in hand. That sets up a massive Thanksgiving showdown, with Ford Field expected to greet Ben Johnson with the kind of boos that don’t need any introduction.
Before all that, though, Detroit has to handle New England. Here are three matchups that could swing the game.
Blake Miller vs. Gabe Jacas
This one pits rookie against rookie, and it should be a fun trench battle. New England’s second-round pick, EDGE rusher Gabe Jacas out of Illinois, has already made his presence felt.
He was a player the Grit Index crowd had circled, and he led all EDGE rushers with a 9.14 Grit Index score. The Lions, meanwhile, went with Derrick Moore, which came as a surprise.
Jacas also had an uncertain knee injury surface after the draft process, and that may have played a role in Detroit’s decision.
What’s mattered most so far is the way Jacas has played. He’s been effective as both a pass rusher and a run defender, and he brings a violent style with a relentless motor.
That puts the spotlight on Lions right tackle Blake Miller. He’s had more good moments than bad in his rookie season, though last week was a rougher outing than usual.
When Jacas lines up across from him, Miller’s response will be worth watching closely. It’s the kind of matchup that can tilt the whole trip.
Christian Mahogany vs. Christian Mahogany
The second key battle is really happening inside one player’s head.
Left guard Christian Mahogany is back in the starting lineup after being benched last week for breaking team rules. Against the Miami Dolphins, it was clear the Lions’ best five up front included Mahogany, especially with Miles Frazier struggling and dragging down an offense that usually moves with ease.
Dan Campbell made his stance clear on 97.1 The Ticket: “Look, if you say you’re gonna do something, you better hold up to it, otherwise you’re gonna lose respect of the people around you,” said Dan Campbell on 97.1 The Ticket. “Because if I’m sitting in that seat and I say one thing and then I don’t do it, I would immediately lose respect for that person. So we stick by what we say we’re gonna do here.”
Now it’s on Mahogany to show he can respond the right way. The Lions clearly need him, and Campbell is not going to let one player become a drag on the rest of the group.
Patriots’ rookie cornerbacks vs. Lions receiving corps
New England is already dealing with one absence in the secondary, with veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III ruled out. That means the Patriots will be leaning on two rookies opposite Christian Gonzalez: fifth-round pick Karon Prunty from Wake Forest and undrafted free agent Channing Canada from TCU.
That’s a tough ask against Detroit’s passing game.
The Patriots are coming off an ugly showing against the Green Bay Packers’ deep-ball attack, and now they get an even more demanding test. Jared Goff is also looking to bounce back after his first game of the season without a passing touchdown and back-to-back games with an interception, which snapped his early-season streaks.
If the Lions want a clean trip out of Germany, this feels like the spot where their receivers can take control. And if you’re looking for one target to circle, Amon-Ra St. Brown in his home country of Germany feels like the safest bet of the weekend.
Drei Schlüsselduelle. Drei Gelegenheiten.
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 🡒]