The New England Patriots defense played one of its worst games in recent memory, allowing the Green Bay Packers to hang 45 points on them while seemingly moving the ball through the air at will. Needless to say, things are not going to get any easier this week.
The Detroit Lions are one of the most explosive offensive teams in the league in their own right, and will present another serious challenge to a reeling unit. Adding to the difficulty, for both teams, is that the game will take play overseas:
the Patriots and Lions will face off in Munich, Germany, as part of the NFL’s International Series.
Let’s find out what the Patriots can expect.
Lions key stats
Playing in what is currently the best division in football, the Lions are entering Week 10 off of four straight victories and as the fifth playoff seed in the NFC. Their statistics are a reflection of their success, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Detroit has been one of the most effective offensive teams in football this year regardless of run or pass. The unit has the second-best scoring rate in the league (50.0%) and the fourth-best turnover rate (6.1%) while also ranking 10th in both net yards per pass and yards per carry. Needless to say, the Patriots need to show some significant improvement compared to last week — particularly against the pass — in order to play a competitive game against the Lions.
Luckily for the Patriots, Detroit’s defense has not been on the same level. No team has given up more passing yards (2,087) or passing touchdowns (18), which bodes well for New England’s ability to put pressure on the unit. In addition, the Lions have taken the ball away only eight time, six of those through interceptions.
Lions 2026 season
Coming off an underwhelming 9-8 campaign, the Lions started their season in uninspiring fashion. Since Week 5, however, they have played some very good and especially winning football.
Week 1: 31-30 OT win vs. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Week 2: 41-31 loss at Buffalo Bills (1-1)
Week 3: 31-24 win vs. New York Jets (2-1)
Week 4: 32-26 loss at Carolina Panthers (2-2)
Week 5: 45-21 win at Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: 20-17 win vs. Green Bay Packers (4-2)
Week 8: 19-15 win vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Week 9: 19-9 win at Miami Dolphins (6-2)
Detroit started with a one-point overtime win against the Saints that was decided by a missed two-point try, followed by a loss to the Bills that was more lopsided than the final score would indicate. The team bounced back with a one-score victory against the lowly Jets and a loss to the Panthers.
The Lions did build some momentum heading into their Week 6 bye and have maintained it ever since, including through quality wins over the Packers and the the then-undefeated Vikings in Weeks 7 and 8. Their most recent game was a defensive win over the Dolphins; Detroit didn’t showcase its offensive firepower but still did enough to secure a 10-point victory.
Lions active roster
Roster up-to-date as of Nov. 12, 5 a.m. ET | *denotes nominal starter
Quarterback (2): Jared Goff* (16), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (3): Jahmyr Gibbs* (0), Sione Vaki (33), Jacob Saylors (25 | KR)
Wide receiver (5): Amon-Ra St. Brown* (14), Jameson Williams* (1), Isaac TeSlaa* (18), Tay Martin (17), DeAndre Carter (86 | PR)
Tight end (3): Sam LaPorta* (87), Brock Wright (89), Tyler Conklin (83)
Offensive tackle (3): Penei Sewell* (58 | LT), Blake Miller* (76 | RT), Larry Borom (79)
Interior offensive line (6): Christian Mahogany* (73 | LG), Juice Scruggs* (70 | C), Tate Ratledge* (69 | RG), Cade Mays (64), Miles Frazier (71), Seth McLaughlin (65)
Interior defensive line (5): Alim McNeill* (54), Tyleik Williams* (91), Skyler Gill-Howard (50), Levi Onwuzurike (95), Mekhi Wingo (94)
Defensive edge (6): Aidan Hutchinson* (97), D.J. Wonnum* (98), Tyler Lacy (93), Derrick Moore (8), Eric O’Neill (66), Ahmed Hassanein (99)
Linebacker (6): Derrick Barnes* (55), Malcolm Rodriguez* (44), Trevor Nowaske (53), Amen Ogbongbemiga (57), Joe Bachie (35), K.J. Britt (40)
Cornerback (6): D.J. Reed* (4), Roger McCreary* (21), Rock Ya-Sin* (23), Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2), Khalil Dorsey (30), Nick Whiteside (38)
Safety (5): Brian Branch* (32), Chuck Clark* (36), Andre Cisco (28), Christian Izien (5), Keith Abney II (6)
Specialists (3): Jake Bates (39 | K), Jack Fox (3 | P/H), Hogan Hatten (49 | LS)
Jared Goff is rarely mentioned among the NFL’s top quarterbacks, but he has played the part. Ranking sixth at the position in expected points added per play (0.221), he has completed 185 of 273 pass attempts (67.8%) for 2,134 yards, 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions. While not a particular rushing threat — he has scored one touchdown on the ground — Goff has been as effective at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks as any QB in the league.
One reason for that is his supporting cast, led by NFL scrimmage yards leader Jahymr Gibbs and volume receiving target Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The former has carried the ball a league-high 177 times for 847 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry; Gibbs also has hauled in 34 passes for 285 yards and two more scores. No player has touched the ball more, gained more yards, or scored more touchdowns this year so far. St. Brown, meanwhile, is ranked first on the team in targets (84), receptions (61), receiving yards (657) and tying fellow wideout Jameson Williams with five receiving touchdowns.
Williams (28/468/5) is the Lions’ primary outside receiver, a role also played by second-year man Isaac TeSlaa (11/206/0). Joining them among the starting skill position players is tight end Sam LaPorta (35/399/3).
Of course, an offense only can be as good as its offensive line allows it to be. And the Lions’ has been very good, despite undergoing some personnel changes. Still, the Lions’ rushing success and Jared Goff ranking seventh in the league in pressure rate (31.8%) speaks for itself.
Speaking of pressure, the Lions defensive line has been able to generate it on a regular basis. They are ranked third in sacks (27) and seventh in pressure rate (25.7%) so far this season. Most of the pressure has come courtesy of two players, edge Aidan Hutchinson and interior lineman Alim McNeill: the former has registered 50 quarterback disruptions including five sacks, with the latter at 34 and 5.5.
They are the standout names up front for the Lions, but far from the only disruptive players. Edge D.J. Wonnum also has notched five QB takedowns, while off-ball linebacker Derrick Barnes has three sacks and an interception to his name. With Jack Campbell on injured reserve, Barnes will be the clear No. 1 option at the position and joined in the starting lineup by veteran rotational option Malcolm Rodriguez.
In the backend, the Lions received a boost in Week 7 with the return of safety Brian Branch from the physically unable to perform list. He already intercepted a pass in his three games back, while slowly upping his workload before playing 100% of snaps against Miami last week. He and veteran Chuck Clark — Detroit’s interceptions leader (2) — will man the backend of the defense.
The cornerback group, meanwhile, has been uneven and could be without its top option: D.J. Reed did not participate in practice on Wednesday because of a hip issue. If he is out or limited, the Lions will likely again rely on Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Khalil Dorsey to play extended snaps alongside regular starters Roger McCreary and Rock Ya-Sin.
In the kicking game, the Lions have been solid; Jake Bates has gone 16-for-17 on field goals and 24-for-24 on extra points, while Jake Fox continues to be one of the better punters in the NFL. Detroit has lost its regular punt returner, Tom Kennedy, to a knee injury. In his place, former Patriot DeAndre Carter — now on his 12th team — took over that role. Jacob Saylors is the regular kickoff returner and averaging a fairly average 25.2 yards per runback.
Lions reserves
Practice squad (16): QB Luke Altmyer (15), RB Jabari Small (26), WR Lucky Jackson (9), WR Dominic Lovett (19), TE Thomas Gordon (82), TE Miles Kitselman (84), OT Devin Cochran (77), OL Eljiah Klein (67), DT Aidan Keanaaina (72), DT Jeffrey M’Ba (60 | exempt), DT Ben Stille (96), DT Taki Taimani (74), ED Anthony Lucas (61), LB Owen Pappoe (51), CB Aamaris Brown (24), S Myles Bryant (27)
IR (12): RB Isiah Pacheco (10), WR Tom Kennedy (85), WR Kendrick Law (88), OL Ben Bartch (78), OL Mason Miller (63 | practice squad IR), ED Peyton Turner (92), LB Jack Campbell (46), LB Damone Clark (11), LB Jimmy Rolder (41), LB Devin White (45), S Thomas Harper (12), S Avonte Maddox (29)
PUP/NFI (2): OT Giovanni Manu (59), S Kerby Joseph (31)
Much like the Patriots, the Lions have suffered a high number of injuries this year — none scarier than linebacker Jack Campbell’s, who suffered a neck injury in Week 8 against Minnesota. The human element of the injury aside, Campbell’s absence is a natural blow to Detroit’s defense.
In some good news for the team, starting safety Kerby Joseph has returned to practice. He won’t play on Sunday against the Patriots, however.
Lions coaching staff
Head coach: Dan Campbell
Coordinators: Drew Petzing (OC), Kelvin Sheppard (DC), Dave Fipp (ST)
Dan Campbell’s coaching staff underwent some turnover this offseason, with John Morton fired and replaced by Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. The team also hired Mike Kafka as its passing game coordinator. Elsewhere, the team has enjoyed some stability: Kelvin Sheppard is in his second year as defensive coordinator, with Dave Fipp in his sixth leading Detroit’s special teams units.
The Lions’ staff also includes some Patriots connections. Offensive assistant Dan Skipper spent parts of the 2018 and 2019 seasons in New England as a reserve offensive tackle.
