The Patriots’ trip to Germany comes with a real opening attached to it.
New England is headed to Munich this Sunday to face the 6-2 Lions after a Week 9 loss that turned into a rough afternoon for the defense. Five Packers put up career days against the Patriots, including Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, who both posted career highs in receiving yards. Golden, who was mostly matched up with Christian Gonzalez, also set career bests in catches and targets.
Now the Patriots get a third game of the season in Germany, and the timing matters. If Detroit has another uneven outing, New England could leave Munich at 6-4 heading into the bye.
That possibility looks a little more realistic after what the Lions just did against Miami.
Detroit stretched its winning streak to four by beating the Dolphins 19-9 on Sunday, but the game was far from the kind of clean offensive showcase the Lions usually deliver. The defense has been the softer side of the team all season, yet the offense - the unit that has carried them - needed a while to get going at Hard Rock Stadium.
Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams all suited up, but Detroit didn’t find the end zone until late in the third quarter.
That stood in contrast to New England’s Week 8 game, when the Patriots lost Hunter Henry and had to elevate Ryan Miller from the practice squad to fill the WR4 role. Even with that setback, they battled early and finished with 24 points.
Goff still has been having a strong season, but Miami showed a path for slowing him down, much like the Vikings did the week before. Weeks 8 and 9 were the first games in which he finished below 200 passing yards, and his 170-yard day against the Dolphins was his lowest total since Week 4 of last season. He also threw an interception for only the second time this year.
Gibbs also had a quieter day than usual. He fell below 100 rushing yards for the first time since Week 4, was targeted just once and didn’t catch a pass.
It was the first time since Week 4 of 2024 that he finished without a reception. He still found the end zone, though, scoring Detroit’s only touchdown, and he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry.
St. Brown finished with 86 receiving yards, while LaPorta had four catches for 32 yards. Williams was held to one catch on two targets, and a nine-yard run brought his total yardage to 40.
For New England, the clearest path in Munich runs through Gibbs and LaPorta.
The numbers make the case. When Gibbs gets to 99 or more rushing yards, the Lions average 29.2 points and are 5-0.
Sunday was the first win they’ve had without him reaching that mark. LaPorta has also been tied to Detroit’s offensive ceiling; when he goes for 50 or more yards, the Lions average 34 points.
Over their last three games, he’s been quieter, and Detroit has averaged just 19.3 points in that stretch.
That’s the opening the Patriots have to chase. If they can keep Gibbs and LaPorta under wraps, they can make Goff and the rest of the offense work harder and potentially hold Detroit to 20 points or fewer, which is what the Lions’ last three opponents have done.
A win would send New England into its bye at 6-4. It would also leave the Chargers winless, though the more immediate concern is what a victory in Munich would mean for the Patriots’ momentum. Against an NFC opponent, it still has a chance to be one of the season’s biggest lift-the-room games.
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