The New England Patriots traveled to Munich on Wednesday for what is technically considered a “home” game on their 2026 schedule.
While the great NFL fans of Germany are likely fired up to see players like Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez on Sunday, the Patriots’ opponent is pretty star-studded in its own right.
Jared Goff. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Jahmyr Gibbs. Penei Sewell. Aidan Hutchinson. The Detroit Lions and their stacked roster figure to give the Patriots, whose lineup has been depleted by injuries in recent weeks, all they can handle in what will be one of the NFL’s marquee international matchups of the season.
Head coach Mike Vrabel and the Patriots' coaches will likely have a solid plan to limit Detroit’s many playmakers, especially after last week’s clunker against the Packers.
It’s the more unheralded players on each side that could end up making or breaking this game, and there are more than a few for the Lions who are well worth tracking on Sunday.
Patriots have much more than Detroit's superstars to worry about in Germany
EDGE Derrick Moore
Detroit’s second-round rookie pass rusher has really been coming on of late, and last week’s win over the Dolphins may have been his best game yet. Moore posted two sacks, two tackles for loss, and three run stops on a season-high 33 snaps, seeing an uptick in playing time with DJ Wonnum out with a concussion.
Drake Maye has done a fine job handling pressure behind what has been a patchwork offensive line this season, but the Patriots are hoping Moore’s recent hot streak doesn’t continue on Sunday.
DT Alim McNeill
Casual NFL fans probably aren’t too familiar with McNeill, but they definitely should be. He’s one of the best interior linemen in the game, especially when it comes to getting after the passer. McNeill enters Week 10 with more sacks (5.5) than Hutchinson (5).
Maye loves to step up in the pocket while escaping pressure, and he’ll need to have an eye on big No. 54. McNeill also leads the Lions in tackles for loss (6.5), and Pro Football Focus ranks him 23rd out of 126 qualifying defensive linemen against the rush.
Given the shaky nature of the Patriots’ guard play this season, McNeill could be a problem.
WR Jameson Williams
St. Brown will undoubtedly get the bulk of the Patriots’ attention, but Williams’ big-play ability is scary, especially after what Green Bay’s Christian Watson and Matthew Golden just did to the Patriots’ secondary.
Williams has really found a groove with Goff, as the pair has connected on pass plays of 30-plus yards in five consecutive games. With so many eyes on St. Brown, Gibbs, and even tight end Sam LaPorta, Williams could find himself with some favorable matchups down the field in this one.
S Chuck Clark
Maye will enter Week 10 tied for the league lead in interceptions with 11. When he gets in trouble with turnovers, it’s usually a crafty safety on the other side who’s getting his hands on the football.
Clark had a big interception against Miami last week to help shift the momentum early in the second half. He’s got two picks on the year to go with three pass breakups and a sack.
Clark is a veteran who could try to bait Maye into another mistake during Sunday’s game.
LB Malcolm Rodriguez
After standing pat at the NFL trade deadline, the Patriots traveled to Munich with Corey Kiner, Lan Larison, and Terrell Jennings as their likely top three at running back. Kiner has been solid in limited work this season, but it’s not ideal to be without both Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) and TreVeyon Henderson (illness).
New England could have a hard time running in this one, given Detroit’s stout defensive line and the hard-hitting Rodriguez right behind it.
Rodriguez stepped in for the injured Jack Campbell last week and more than looked the part. He led the team with eight tackles and five run stops, and ranks seventh among 79 qualifying linebackers against the rush this season, per PFF.
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