Lions Face Patriots in Munich, Seeking Fifth Straight Win
Detroit travels to Germany for a Week 10 matchup against New England, aiming to extend a winning streak against a historically difficult opponent.
By Jack Thompson ·
The Detroit Lions will play the New England Patriots at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
The Lions serve as the home team for the contest, which marks their first game on foreign soil since 2015. The franchise has played only two overseas games in its history, both of which took place in London during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
New England holds a dominant historical record against Detroit. The Patriots have won five of the last seven meetings between the teams since 2000. Detroit’s victories in that span occurred in November 2000 and in 2018 on Sunday Night Football. A win in Munich would give the Lions their fifth consecutive victory, a streak that would be the longest for the team since they won 11 straight games in the 2024 season.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is tied for the NFL lead with 11 interceptions this season. He has also been sacked 20 times. Maye finished second in MVP voting the previous year but has struggled with consistency, throwing eight interceptions in his prior full campaign. In his last game against the Green Bay Packers, Maye threw three interceptions in the first half before recovering in the second.
The Lions’ defense has been a key factor in their recent success. Safety Brian Branch returned from an Achilles injury that ended his previous season and has played every snap in his last three games. He has recorded one interception and is expected to lead the defense, which is currently missing one of its captains.
General Manager Brad Holmes acquired safety Andre Cisco from the New York Jets at the trade deadline to add depth to the secondary. Cisco, who can play free safety or in the box, is expected to make his Lions debut on Sunday. He may pair with Branch or supplement him in various defensive packages.
The NFC North is currently the top division in the league, with all four teams holding records above .500. The Chicago Bears lead the division at 7-2, while the Lions and Minnesota Vikings are tied at 6-2. The Green Bay Packers sit at 6-3. The division is 20-4 against non-divisional opponents, a statistic that highlights the strength of the group despite the Lions’ two losses to outside teams.
Rookie edge rusher Derrick Moore recorded his first two career sacks against the Miami Dolphins last week. He has seen an increased workload due to the absence of DJ Wonnum. Head Coach Dan Campbell indicated on Wednesday that defensive backs D.J. Reed and Cade Mays have small chances of playing. Cornerback Kerby Joseph will wait at least one more week for his debut.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has strong ties to Germany, as his mother was born in the country. He is expected to be a focal point in the offense alongside Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is also a key component of the offensive strategy, particularly in managing the clock late in games.
The Lions’ offense has relied on quarterback Jared Goff to distribute the ball to multiple targets. The team aims to establish an early lead to reduce pressure on the defense. If the Patriots build a two-score lead early, the Lions will need to generate stops to keep their offense on the field. The game represents a critical test for Detroit as they attempt to maintain their position in the NFC North race.
