The Patriots head into their Germany matchup with the Lions short-handed in the backfield, and Corey Kiner suddenly has a chance to make a real impression.
Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will both sit out Sunday morning’s game at Allianz Arena, leaving Kiner to get the start for Mike Vrabel’s team. On paper, that looks like a rough spot against a Detroit run defense that ranks eighth in the league and is allowing just 94.1 rushing yards per game.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. The Lions have looked far more imposing against the run than they may actually be, mostly because opponents have had little reason to lean on the ground game.
Detroit sits dead last in pass defense, giving up 260.9 passing yards per game, and teams have been able to attack through the air instead. That’s been the case against quarterbacks like Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, and Jacoby Brissett.
When teams have tested the Lions on the ground, the results haven’t been nearly as clean. James Cook ran for 135 yards and a touchdown, and Chubba Hubbard piled up 122 rushing yards and two scores. Detroit is allowing 4.0 yards per carry, which suggests there’s room for a runner to do damage if the Patriots commit to it.
That’s where Kiner comes in. A.J.
Brown is questionable, and the Patriots’ wide receiver group hasn’t consistently stepped up this season, but Drake Maye should still have a favorable matchup against a secondary that has been one of the league’s most vulnerable. Even so, Josh McDaniels may want to make life easier on Maye after the rough outing against the Green Bay Packers, and that could mean giving Kiner real volume.
Kiner isn’t being asked to be James Cook, but the Patriots can lean on his vision and acceleration, two traits that fit well against a defense that has struggled when runners get downhill. He’s also in a spot where the pressure is lighter than it might seem. The opportunity is there, and the questions around TreVeyon Henderson’s long-term role only make it more interesting.
New England will continue to trust Stevenson when he’s available, but Kiner could carve out a bigger piece of the offense if he handles this chance well. Pass protection remains the biggest hurdle, and improving there would help him get on the field more often.
Detroit’s offense will put Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots’ defense to work, but New England should still have scoring chances in Munich. The run game has been a problem all season, yet this matchup gives Kiner a real opening to show he can be more than just depth against a run defense that may not be as battle-tested as its ranking suggests.
In Other News...
Patriots Suddenly Face A Bigger Problem Than Just The Lions
The Patriots head into Week 10 at 5-4 with more on their mind than just trying to slow down the Lions. After a rough defensive showing against the Packers, the focus inside the building has shifted to tightening up the details and finding a better rhythm across all three phases, especially as injuries and roster churn continue to test the depth chart.
DeMario Douglas said the sideline needs more energy and cohesion, a reminder that New England cannot afford to drift into disconnected football if it wants to stay in the mix. The margin for error is shrinking, and the Patriots know the rest of the season will depend on whether they can pull together and start playing the kind of complementary football that keeps games within reach. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Offense Suddenly Has A Huge Munich Concern
The Patriots trip to Munich has picked up a little more uncertainty on the offensive side, with wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back Rhamondre Stevenson both landing on the injury report as questionable for Week 10 against the Lions. Brown is dealing with ankle and knee injuries after being limited in practice, while Stevenson is working through a knee issue of his own and was also limited. For a New England offense already trying to settle in on the road, the timing is less than ideal.
The team also ruled out three players and added several others to the questionable list, leaving the final game-day picture a bit murky as kickoff approaches. For the Patriots, the concern is not just who suits up, but how much of the offense they can count on if these key pieces are less than full strength in a game that already comes with the added wrinkle of playing in Munich. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Can't Risk This A.J. Brown Decision Again
A.J. Browns return to practice has given the Patriots a much-needed lift, even if it has not yet answered the biggest question surrounding him. The three-time All-Pro receiver has missed multiple games this season because of a high-ankle sprain and knee issues, and while he traveled with the team for its Week 10 game in Germany, his availability remains uncertain.
For New England, the temptation to push Brown back into action is obvious. He is the kind of difference-maker that can change the shape of an offense and help keep playoff hopes alive, but the Patriots also know how quickly one injury can turn into another if they rush him before he is ready. After all the time he has already missed, this is the sort of decision that could matter well beyond one game. [Read more 🡒]