Munich Showdown Puts Pressure on Injured Patriots and Hot Lions
New England faces Detroit on foreign soil with key players out, while the Lions aim to extend their winning streak in a tight division.
By Julia Wang ·
The New England Patriots and Detroit Lions meet Sunday in Munich, Germany, for a contest that tests both squads beyond the usual international marketing. New England enters the game at 5-4 after falling 45-27 to the Green Bay Packers at home. Detroit holds a 6-2 record and has won four consecutive games, though its path has required grinding victories, such as a 19-9 win over the Miami Dolphins last week.
Injuries drive the narrative for the Patriots. The team ruled out left guard Ben Brown, cornerback Carlton Davis III, and running back TreVeyon Henderson before flying to Europe on Wednesday night. Leading rusher Rhamondre Stevenson missed practice due to a knee issue. His absence may hand most of the carries to second-year back Corey Kiner.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the challenge. He stated that Kiner has performed well but needs to improve his recognition and ability to block pressure. Vrabel noted that many teams sitting at 5-4 are still contending for postseason spots. He emphasized the need for the team to position itself for meaningful games in January.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell focused on preparation rather than the global stage. He admitted he has not thought deeply about the international aspect. Campbell called the Patriots dangerous and noted they will clean up recent mistakes. He described the upcoming schedule, which includes hosts in Tampa Bay and Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, as a necessary test for the team's resilience.
The matchup features Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez against Lions receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Gonzalez signed a lucrative contract extension in September but struggled against Green Bay last week. St. Brown leads Detroit with 61 receptions for 657 yards and five touchdowns. Williams has 468 receiving yards and five scores.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the NFL with 60 scrimmage touchdowns. A touchdown Sunday would tie Terrell Davis for the most touchdowns by a player in their first four seasons. This is Detroit's first international game since 2015. The Lions are 1-1 in such matches, while the Patriots won three international games under Tom Brady. Drake Maye is tied for the league lead with 11 interceptions.
The two teams last met on October 9, 2022, when New England won 29-0 at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots lead the all-time series 8-5. The game airs on FOX at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The Lions are favored by two and a half points.
