The New England Patriots head into their overseas meeting with the Detroit Lions carrying more than just a 5-4 record. Sunday’s game in Munich sits right on the edge of must-win territory, because the road after the bye week looks brutal and there’s not much margin left if New England wants to stay in the AFC playoff mix.
For this team, 10 wins is the target. Get there, and the postseason door should be open.
But the path to that number gets ugly in a hurry after this trip to Germany. Following the Lions and the Week 11 bye, the Patriots will face the Los Angeles Chargers, then the Buffalo Bills, then the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football.
Minnesota’s defense has been one of the league’s best, giving up the fewest points per game at 14.5 and just 280 yards per game, second-fewest in the NFL. The Vikings’ offense had been the issue, with Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer rotating at quarterback and the passing game sitting 31st in yards per game at 266.8.
But the deadline move for Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins could make that matchup a lot tougher for New England.
After that comes Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, then the season finishes with the Jets, Broncos and Dolphins. Realistically, the Patriots may only be favored in three of those games: the Chargers, Jets and Dolphins. That means they likely need two more wins from a group that includes the Lions, Vikings, Bills, Chiefs and Broncos just to get to 10.
That’s why Detroit matters so much. A win in Munich would put New England in a far better spot heading into the bye. A loss would leave the Patriots chasing multiple upsets down the stretch.
There is at least some encouraging injury news on the New England side. Wide receiver A.J.
Brown got back on the practice field for the first time in two weeks while working through ankle and knee injuries, with the knee issue possibly tied to a reported degenerative knee condition. Brown has been limited all season, missed six games over the first nine weeks, and has just nine catches for 101 yards.
He was limited Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable.
Rhamondre Stevenson also appears to be trending in the right direction. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the running back is dealing with a knee tendon issue that could keep him out briefly, but Stevenson missed Wednesday before returning as a limited participant Thursday and Friday. He is still in play for Sunday.
“I think that’s just, speaks to, you know, first off, the media not really knowing 100 percent what they’re talking about a lot of the time,” Maye said when asked about Stevenson practicing.
The Patriots have seen this kind of thing before. Will Campbell was initially expected to miss time after a reported knee sprain in Week 5 against the Raiders, and TreVeyon Henderson was reportedly dealing with a high ankle sprain that same week. Both ended up playing the next game.
Getting Stevenson back would matter a lot. He leads the Patriots in rushing, and his value as a pass protector for Maye is a big piece of what this offense needs.
Fullback Reggie Gilliam and guard Greg Van Roten have both had their 21-day practice windows opened after time on injured reserve. Gilliam returned to practice this week, while Van Roten’s window opened last week.
Neither has been activated yet, but both are questionable.
Walter Rouse is also questionable while going through concussion protocol, which leaves New England with some decisions to make up front.
The matchup itself could offer the Patriots a real opening. Detroit has been leaky on defense, allowing 355 yards per game, which ranks tied for 26th in the league.
The Lions have also forced only eight takeaways through nine games, matching New England’s total. On top of that, Detroit has ruled out safety Kerby Joseph and cornerback D.J.
Reed, which could create chances for Maye and the Patriots offense against a thinner secondary.
But the other side of the ball is where New England has to clean things up fast. Detroit’s offense has been one of the league’s most dangerous and unpredictable units, powered by Amon-Ra St.
Brown, Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions rank fifth in the NFL in yards per game at 379.8, and the Patriots will need a much sharper defensive showing than the one they turned in against Green Bay.
New England gave up 478 total yards in that game and allowed the most points ever scored at Gillette Stadium, 45. Christian Gonzalez, who recently became the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, had a rough night by his standards. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing 11 catches on 12 targets for 192 yards and a touchdown.
“As confident as I always am,” Gonzalez said when asked about his confidence in bouncing back. “It’s a new week. It’s the same confidence that I always have, the same confidence I’ll always go in with.”
That confidence will need to show up quickly against a Detroit group with plenty of firepower. For the Patriots, Sunday is about more than just another game on the schedule. It may end up shaping the rest of their season.
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 🡒]