What happened: The 6-2 Detroit Lions travel to Munich, Germany, to face the 5-4 New England Patriots in Week 10. Detroit enters following a road victory, while New England seeks to rebound from a 45-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Lions head coach Dan Campbell noted that New England possesses dangerous firepower despite recent inconsistency.
Why it matters: New England ranks fifth in the NFL at 6.0 yards per play but has struggled with a minus-1.2 turnover differential per game, ranking 31st league-wide. Protection breakdowns have compounded the issue, with the Patriots allowing 141 pressures and a 42.9 percent pressure rate. Detroit's aggressive defensive front presents a pivotal test for whether New England can protect the football and sustain drives overseas.
By the numbers: Drake Maye has completed 178 of 272 passes for 2,282 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2026 through 9 games. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson has run 102 times for 399 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2026 through 9 games and is listed as doubtful. New England's offense averages 369.4 yards per game while allowing 20 sacks and yielding pressure in 2.78 seconds on average.
What to watch: The Lions and Patriots square off Sunday in Munich as both clubs seek to solidify playoff positioning in the second half of the season. New England will focus on pass protection adjustments to protect Maye against Detroit's aggressive defensive front.