The New England Patriots were blown out at home by the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 of the NFL season, bringing their record to 5-4. Now, the team is preparing to play a game in Munich, and things don't get any easier. The Patriots will face a very tough Detroit Lions team that is 6-2 in the NFC North.
With injuries mounting, and young quarterback Drake Maye reverting to his turnover-prone form, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports doesn't expect Sunday morning's international showcase to be a get-right spot for New England.
"This is a big game for both teams, but especially so for the Patriots after they got blown out by the Packers at home last week. The Lions won at Miami and didn't play great, but they will get it going on offense here. New England is struggling on defense, so look for the Lions to win it with a strong offensive showing."
Patriots' mounting injuries and costly turnovers make Lions matchup especially daunting
Good teams and great NFL teams are built in the offseason. The Patriots did a decent job of fortifying their wide receiver position, which was certainly a key need. That position group has been decimated by injuries, though, along with the offensive line.
Losing No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown, and No. 2 receiver Romeo Doubs, and the steady Mack Hollins to injuries was brutal for Maye and his offense. New England's offensive line depth has also been tested to the max after losing both starting guards, among various other injury issues.
Prisco was right. The Patriots' defense struggled against the Packers, giving up 45 points. Top cornerback Christian Gonzalez was torched by Green Bay's top receivers, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, for 187 yards.
Should Gonzalez remain in a funk, the Patriots' chances of beating Detroit will be slim-to-none. The interior defensive line of Milton Williams, Christian Barmore (he had a sack against the Packers), and Cory Durden have played well, but it's not going to be enough if Gonzalez and the secondary can't step up.
Regardless, the fortunes of any NFL team in any game will always rest with the quarterback. Maye, the AFC's Offensive Player of the Month for October, had a terrible game against the Packers. He threw three first-half interceptions helping the Packers take a lead they'd never relinquish.
Maye has to stop putting his team in a hole. He now has 11 interceptions on the season. The team lost the turnover battle 4-0 against Green Bay, with Rhamondre Stevenson losing another fumble, and that's never going to win you an NFL football game.
Absent a massive turnaround, Prisco's prediction that the Patriots will return home 5-5 seems to be right on target. The Patriots' play has been too inconsistent this season.
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