The New England Patriots got blown out for a second straight week in Sunday's run-in with the Detroit Lions. They fell on the road in Germany, 35-10, in a game where their defense couldn't stop the bleeding.
And yet, the biggest talking point after the game wasn't about the loss or the fact that the Patriots are now sitting at 5-5 on the season. It's the fact that Patriots quarterback Drake Maye left the game after the first drive with an ankle injury and never returned. The young gunslinger took a sack and got his foot landed on by Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. He limped on the sideline before heading off to the locker room for good.
Maye's injury prognosis could have a profound impact on the rest of the season for the Patriots.
As for Sunday's
game, it was a contest where the Patriots were outcoached and outclassed in every phase. Tommy DeVito couldn't get much of anything going behind a struggling offensive line with no ground game. Rhamondre Stevenson played in the game, but it was clear that he wasn't 100 percent. With TreVeyon Henderson also gone, the Patriots were forced to turn to Corey Kiner as their No. 1 ball-carrier.
He finished the game with 10 carries for 25 yards, while DeVito went 12-of-24 passing for one touchdown and one interception.
Meanwhile, the Patriots' defense gave up 494 total yards of offense, including 153 rushing yards and 99 receiving yards to Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs alone.
Here's what people were saying on social media after the game:
Lions fans are loving this, but this is turning into a terrible game for casual fans. Patriots have nothing without Drake Maye
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 15, 2026
5-5 after 10 is not where anyone in N.E. thought this team would be after October, but it's November now, and here we are.
— Coach (@NEPatriot_USA) November 15, 2026
They're not done for the year but ARE hanging by the thinnest of threads especially given the injury to Drake Maye.
Never mind A.J. Brown, Spillane, etc.
This is about as bad as it gets. #Patriots Drake Maye suffered an ankle injury and was ruled out after the first drive.
— BOSTON (@DanFiel51114192) November 15, 2026
A.J. Brown hurt, again.
The defense looks awful. pic.twitter.com/KeH8gsK8Hc
Patriots fans woke up early for football in Germany and got Tommy Cutlets for breakfast. 😂🇮🇹
— Sekhon (@07Amrik) November 15, 2026
Tommy DeVito took over in Munich after Drake Maye left with an ankle injury. Hope Maye’s back soon. 🙏#NEvsDET #Patriots #OnePride #TommyCutlets #DrakeMaye #NFL #Gonzo pic.twitter.com/87wyhhhEjk
Literally nothing without Drake Maye.
— Kleaver (@KleaverSports) November 15, 2026
Personnel, coaches, and front office are incredibly incompetent.
— Justin (@Jwillz18) November 15, 2026
Patriots weren’t winning this game without Drake Maye but looking like a high school defense is inexcusable
— TB EGO (@TomBradyEgo) November 15, 2026
Drake Maye on the 2026 Patriots pic.twitter.com/92joCH7Se3
— ☘️ - Jays Enthusiast (@gReenbean_26) November 15, 2026
Patriots defense after getting cooked last week😭 pic.twitter.com/5LOpo8CAfR
— green80sports (@green80sports) November 15, 2026
— Chari Lima (5-5) (@chjlimaa_) November 15, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Twitter reacts to Drake Maye injury, Patriots blowout loss
