The Patriots are going into their big Week 10 matchup against the Lions with a lot to prove and a season to save. After falling to the Packers last Sunday, they now sit at 5-4, and most analysts believe they'll be at .500 after this week's game, since the Lions have a jam-packed offense.
Because New England's defense is coming off a historically bad performance that saw two receivers record over 150 receiving yards, there's a good chance that facing a receiving corps led by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams will yield the same results, and because of that, there's a lot of pressure on the Patriots to ensure that doesn't happen.
It will be a joint effort, of course, and on offense, they'll have to keep trying to overcome some of the most valuable losses on the roster, including possibly Rhamondre Stevenson this week and potentially A.J. Brown.
That means Drake Maye will need another standout performance from DeMario Douglas, who has been his No. 1 receiver over the past month, and if the Patriots stand a chance of winning in Munich, it will take a consistent effort from Douglas on Sunday.
But the receiver knows that it's going to be a collective effort for the rest of the season to get back on track and remain competitive, something he pointed out after last Sunday's loss, while also emphasizing what they need to do to make sure that happens.
DeMario Douglas pinpoints one problem the Patriots need to change after Week 9
While speaking to reporters after last week's game, Douglas discussed what the team needs to change moving forward if they hope to win more games.
This came within moments of Mack Hollins seemingly calling out teammates for being too content with their performances and not feeling the urgency to play better as soon as possible, which might indicate a bigger problem behind the scenes.
"I just feel like we need more energy on that sideline. I think that would help us play complementary football. I feel like if we go out there, offense-wise, on the sideline, with the defense out there, I feel like we need to be out there to be like, 'Let’s go.' I feel like that would help the energy around the whole team.
So, I feel like once we get that together, we’ll be a tighter team, and we’ll clean a lot of things up.”
Given how this season has gone so far, it's not shocking that the roster might lack excitement compared to a year ago. Things haven't gone as smoothly this time around, and the nonstop injuries have taken a toll in more ways than one.
It could lead to decreased confidence or even frustration with their current state and what their future holds. None of that is good, obviously, and the hope is that it doesn't overtake the locker room in a negative way.
But it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if it were, since the season has been much more difficult than anyone could have imagined.
Regardless, Douglas is right: when things get tough, the players need to come together and be their biggest cheerleaders. Although things might not be going as they hoped right now, they can't let disappointment dictate how they play the last 9 games, as the playoffs are still very much still possible.
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