Patriots face injury pileup in high-stakes Munich matchup against Detroit
New England enters the international game with three key players ruled out and its leading rusher questionable, while Detroit seeks to extend its win streak in a tight division race.
By Yuki Melnyk ·
The New England Patriots arrive in Munich with a deep roster of injuries and a recent home loss that exposed defensive weaknesses, setting the stage for a difficult test against the Detroit Lions. The Patriots are 5-4 and have dropped two of their last three games. They lost 45-27 to the Green Bay Packers at home last week, a game in which quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions. The secondary struggled to contain the Packers passing attack during that defeat.
The Lions enter the contest with a 6-2 record and four consecutive victories. They are fighting to maintain their position in the tight NFC North division. Coach Dan Campbell said the team is focused on preparation rather than the international setting. “Well, if I’m being honest, I just haven’t thought that far into it. I’m like, ‘We’ve got to get prepared,’” Campbell said. He noted that Detroit slogged through a 19-9 win over the Miami Dolphins the previous week, relying on four field goals from Jake Bates.
Injury concerns dominate the Patriots roster heading into the game. The team ruled out left guard Ben Brown and cornerback Carlton Davis III, both with knee injuries, and running back TreVeyon Henderson, who is dealing with an illness. Leading rusher Rhamondre Stevenson, who has 399 yards on 102 carries, did not practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. If Stevenson sits out, second-year running back Corey Kiner is expected to take the bulk of the carries.
Coach Mike Vrabel said Kiner has done a nice job but needs to improve his recognition of pressure and ability to block it. Vrabel emphasized that many contending teams are currently 5-4. “We’ve got to start putting ourselves in position to play meaningful games in January or in the middle of January,” Vrabel said. He described the current state of the league as a bunch of teams bunched up before going in different directions, asserting that New England will head in a positive and winning direction.
The Lions have a short turnaround after their bye week. Following the game in Munich, Detroit will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day. Campbell described the current stretch as a test that mimics the playoff atmosphere. “It’s a good thing to be tested during the season,” Campbell said. He told the team their objective is to go through the obstacle rather than just clear it.
Defensive matchups will center on Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez facing Lions receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Gonzalez signed a lucrative contract extension in September but struggled against Green Bay last week. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he gave up 105 yards to Matthew Golden and 82 yards to Christian Watson. St. Brown leads the Lions with 61 receptions for 657 yards and five touchdowns. Williams has 468 yards on 28 receptions and five touchdowns, though he had just one reception in the win over Miami.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the NFL with 60 scrimmage touchdowns. He ranks second in total scrimmage yards since entering the league in 2023. A touchdown Sunday would allow Gibbs to tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis for the most touchdowns by a player in his first four seasons. This is Detroit’s first international game since 2015, and the Lions are 1-1 in such contests.
The Patriots have a mixed history in international games. They won three with Tom Brady at quarterback but lost 32-16 to Jacksonville in London in 2024 and 10-6 to the Colts in Frankfurt in 2023. Entering Week 10, Maye is tied with Justin Herbert for the most interceptions with 11. He is tied for fourth in touchdown passes with 18. The game is scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EST on FOX, with the Lions favored by two and a half points.
