Game Preview: Lions vs. Patriots

The New England Patriots will host the Detroit Lions in Foxborough tomorrow. New England will be at home for the second time in five weeks. The game will air on FOX with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma on the call. Bailey Zappe is likely to start under center for New England after Mac Jones suffered a high ankle sprain and backup Brain Hoyer suffered a concussion.

Quick hits

• The New England Patriots will play the Detroit Lions for the first time since Sept. 23, 2018, when the Patriots lost on Sunday Night Football 26-10. Matt Patrica was the head coach of the Lions at the time.
• The Lions have not played at Gillette Stadium since November 23, 2014, when they lost 34-9.
• The Patriots are undefeated while playing the Lions at home. (2-0)
• In New England, Detroit is 2-4. Their first game playing each other was in 1971.
• The Patriots will be wearing their red throwback uniforms for the first time since 2012. The uniforms debuted in 1984, and the Patriots are 9-3 while wearing them.
• The Lions are first in the league in points scored per game (35) but last in the league of points allowed per game (35.3).
• The Lions have allowed opponents to score a touchdown on 37.8% of their drives. (first in the league)
• Dan Cambell has never faced Bill Belichick; he is 4-15-1 as the head coach of the Lions.
• The last time the Patriots started their third-string quarterback was in 2016 with Jacoby Brissett.
• If Mac Jones can’t play, it will be Bailey Zappe’s first career NFL start.
• The last time the Patriots started a season 1-4 was in 2000.
• Patriots head coach Bill Belichick coached two seasons as an assistant coach with Detroit.
• With a sack this week against the Lions, LB Matthew Judon will become the first Patriots player to start a season with a sack in each of the first five games.

What to look for

Bailey Zappe’s first career start

According to Jordan Shultz, quarterback Bailey Zappe will reportedly get his first career start. The former Western Kentucky product threw 62 touchdowns last year, leading all college quarterbacks. He saw his first game action when backup Brian Hoyer exited the game with a head injury.

How will the Patriots stop the Lions offense?

The Detroit Lions are averaging 35 points per game, a league-high. Although they are 1-3, they have never lost a game by more than four points. Without Dandre Swift, the Lions will rely more on their passing game, but star receiver Amra st. Brown is questionable. If he can’t suit up, it will make life much easier for New England.

The Patriots are throwing it back.

The Patriots will be wearing their red throwback uniforms this week in Detroit. The last time the Patriots wore their red throwbacks was an overtime win against the New York Jets in the middle of the 2012 season (29-26). The uniform features a red jersey with white pants and a Pat the Patriots red, white, and blue striped helmet. New England is also changing the field for the game, adding new logos to the endzones and marking Pat the Patriot at midfield. The Patriots will wear these uniforms one more time this season when the Bills come to town on October 1st.

Will Jack Jones and Marcus Jones continue their success?

Rookies Jack Jones and Marcus Jones continue to impact the field. Last week Jack Jones was PFF’s highest-rated defender, and Marcus Jones had excellent returns in the kicking game. Both will look to expand on their roles this weekend.

The Patriots need a win.

This week is a must-win for the Patriots if they hope to make the Playoffs. They’re 1-3 right now and last in the AFC east. Their next seven games are very manageable, but after their bye week, their schedule gets much harder. Now is the time to win games, and the Patriots will need to grind it out against the Lions.

Connections

Former Patriots:

None

Former Lions:

*Jahlani Tavai (Lions: Player LB 2019-20, Patriots: Player LB 2021-present)

*Bill Belichick (Lions: WR Coach 1977, Asst. SPT/TEs/WRs 1976; Patriots: Head Coach 2000-present)

*Matt Patricia (Lions: Head Coach 2018-20; Patriots: Snr. FB Advisor/OL 2022-presen)

*Evan Rothstein (Lions: HC Asst/R&A 2018-20, Off. Asst/R&A 2015-17, Special Projects 2014, Quality Control/ST 2012-13; Patriots: Offensive Assistant 2022-, R&A 2021)

*Billy Yates (Lions: Asst. OL Coach 2020, Minority Coaching Asst./Def 2018-19; Patriots: Asst. OL Coach 2021-present)

*Jammie Collins SR (Lions:Player LB 2018-2019, Patriots: Player LB 2021-present)

Who has the advantage?

When the Patriots run: Winner: Patriots

This matchup looks the best on paper for the Patriots. Detroit has the worst run defense in the NFL, statically allowing 165.6 yards per game and 5.6 yards a carry. Meanwhile, the Patriots are running the ball well; last week in Green Bay, the Patriots ran for 167 yards, mainly to the efforts of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. Especially if Bailey Zappe is forced to start, Bill Belichick will heavily rely on the run game. DL Aidan Hutchinson is setting record numbers with three sacks through five weeks for the Lions. Furthermore, the late-round draft pick LB Malcolm Rodriguez often has his number called and leads the Lions in tackles. The Patriots offensive line is improving weekly. I would expect a big run game by New England.

When the Lions run: Winner: Lions

The Lions announced that starting running back D’Andre Swift will be inactive in New England, a huge blow for Detroit. The Lions backup Jamaal Willaims has impressed many. He leads the team in touchdowns (6) and averages 4.5 yards a carry. Although the Patriots Achilles’ heel thus far has been its run defense. Last week versus Green Bay, they allowed Aaron Jones to run for 110 yards averaging 7 yards a carry. Likewise, A.J. Dillon had 73 yards on 17 attempts. In short, the Patriots have had trouble stopping the run. Veteran lineman Lawerence Guy will miss his second consecutive game with a shoulder injury, which is a significant loss for New England. The Patriots will roll with Christin Barmore, Carl Davis, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Davon Godchaux on the line. New England signed Jamie Collins this week, and he has a good chance of getting elevated. Godchaux talked to reporters earlier this week and said, “We will take pride” in stopping the talented Detroit run.

When the Patriots pass: Winner: Patriots

According to NFL reporter Jordan Shultz (Hyperlink), fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe will get his first career start on Sunday. This comes after Mac Jones suffered an ankle injury in week three and Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion last week in Green Bay. Zappe will have a good matchup against a weak Lions secondary. The Lions rank last allowing 444.8 yards per game and 30th in the league allowing 279 passing yards per game. New England will hopefully get back WR Jakobi Meyers, who has missed the past two weeks with a knee injury. The Patriots dialed up a lot of play action for Zappe last week, and that should be successful against the Lions, who only have seven sacks on the season. The Lions defense also has trouble stopping offenses on third down; they rank dead last, allowing a third-down 52% of the time. Zappe should start his career strong, and if the Patriots want to win this game, they need to start exposing the Lions passing attack.

When the Lions pass: Winner: Patriots

I am giving the Patriots a slight edge in this matchup because of their strong performance against Aaron Rodgers. The Lions may be getting back a crucial part of their offense in Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions are averaging 35 points a game which is a league best, and thus far has 140 points on the season, which is on pace for a record. Tight end T.J. Hockenson had a career outing last week. He had eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. New England got back star defensive player safety Kyle Dugger last week. New England has had trouble stopping tight ends’s but with Dugger back, it should be easier. Jalen Mills did not participate in practice on Friday, and if he can’t go, rookie CB Jack Jones will retake his place. He had a forced fumble, recovery, and a pick-six against the Packers. The Lions have averaged just over 270 yards through the air thus far. (5th in the league). The Patriots will have their hands complete with the Lions offense and will look to be the first team to limit their explosiveness.

Special teams: Winner: Patriots

The Patriots have had their troubles on Special teams thus far. Punter Jake Bailey is at the bottom of the league in virtually every stat and had two touchbacks last week, excluding a 30-yard punt. Meanwhile, Lions punter Jack Fox has been perfect so far. He is averaging 49.5 yards a punt and has four punts downed inside the 20, along with zero touchbacks. However, the Lions have had injuries with their kickers. They announced Friday that they waived Austin Seibert. Seibert was forced to sit last week due to a groin injury. They will likely start Michael Badgley. On the return side, the Patriots had rookie Marcus Jones return punts. He was quite effective. He had returns of 37 yards on a kickoff and 29 yards and 20 yards on a punt. His decision-making, speed and ball security skills will give New England a chance in challenging games due to his field position.

Senior coaching staff

New England:

Head Coach – Bill Belichick

Senior football advisor/offensive line – Matt Patricia

Offensive assistant/quarterbacks – Joe Judge

Running backs – Vinnie Sunseri

Wide receivers – Troy Brown

Offensive line – Billy Yates

Linebackers – Steve Belichick

Linebackers – Jerod Mayo

Cornerbacks – Mike Pellegrino

Special teams coordinator – Cam Achord

Lions:

Head Coach – Dan Cambell

Offensive coordinator – Ben Johnson

Assistant head coach/running backs – Duce Staley

Offensive line coach – Hank Fraley

Quarterbacks coach – Mark Brunell

Wide receivers- Antwaan Randle El

Defensive coordinator – Aaron Glenn

Defensive line – Todd Wash

Linebackers – Kelvin Sheppard

Safeties – Brian Duker

Special teams coordinator – David Fipp

Injury Report

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Lions:

Out:

RB D’Andre Swift – Shoulder/Ankle (DNP)

WR Quintez Cephus – Foot (DNP)

WR DJ Chark – Ankle (DNP)

T Matt Nelson – Calf (DNP)

DL John Cominsky – Wrist (DNP)

DE Charles Harris – Groin (DNP)

Questionable:

WR Josh Reynolds – Ankle (LP)

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – Ankle (LP)

C Evan Brown – Ankle (LP)

G Jonah Jackson – Finger (FP)

G Kayode Awosika – Hamstring (LP)

LB Chris Board – Knee (LP)

Patriots:

Out:

DL Lawrence Guy – Shoulder (DNP)

DL DaMarcus Mitchell – Concussion (DNP)

Doubtful:

QB Mac Jones – Ankle (LP)

TE Jonnu Smith – Ankle (LP)

Questionable:

S Kyle Dugger – Knee (LP)

LB Raekwon McMillan – Thumb (LP)

WR Jakobi Meyers, Knee (LP)

CB Jalen Mills, Hamstring (DNP)

S Adrian Phillips – Ribs (LP)

OT Isaiah Wynn – Hip (LP)

Latest Patriots transactions

Placed OL Yodny Cajuste on the injured reserve

Signed LB Jamie Collins Sr to the Practice Squad

Released LB Harvey Langi from the Practice Squad.

Released WR Laquon Treadwell from the practice squad.

Promoted OL Marcus Cannon to the active roster

Signed Garret Gilbert to the practice squad

Placed Brian Hoyer on the injured reserve

Game Officials

Head Referee – Craig Wrolstad (19th season in the NFL and 8th as head official)

Weather Forcast

Sunshine. High 63F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 4%.

Noteworthy quotes

Detriot Lions:

On former Lions coach Matt Patricia

“If you know football and you’re a good coach, you can adapt, and that’s what I see. He’s adapting quickly, and every week … it’s better and better and better and they’re attacking their opponents. They’re putting together good game plans. They’re using the roster well. So he’s doing a good job, he really is.”

– Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell

On what’s the Patriots biggest strength

“Run, but yeah, I would say the run game certainly. But I think with that it’s – they have the ability to play multiple fronts out of the same personnel and they can mix it and shift it. They’re big, they’ve got pressure off the edge with (Patriots LB Matthew) Judon and (Patriots DL Deatrich) Wise over there. So, and they can push the pocket. So, there’s things that they’re going to be able to do to just mix it up, and I know this, you have too much stuff in with all that they can do defensively, and it can really cloud you up and get you stuck a little bit. So, that’s just – that’s one and then, inevitably he’ll do some things that we haven’t seen yet. He always does. He’ll have something that we haven’t worked on. You try to prepare for everything, yet you just – I mean, he’s got a ton of stuff that he’s had over the years. So, we have to be able to adapt and hit it on the run, make good adjustments. And there again, we can’t turn the ball over, that’ll be big.”

– Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell

On the New England Patriots

“Good opponent this week. They’re physical. They’re going to try to control the football, wear us out on defense, and then offensively, they’re going to give us multiple looks and change the coverages and things that (Patriots Head) Coach (Bill) Belichick’s always done, so this will be a tough one for us, but we’re going to put in the work.”

– Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell

On Bill Belichick

“I obviously respect the heck out of him and I just – I know what he’s about. And he’s arguably the best coach that ever coached this game. So, I mean it’s hard to argue with what he’s done.”

– Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell

New England Patriots:

On Matt Patricia

Yeah, again we’ve talked about the entire offensive staff. So that’s really what – I wouldn’t characterize it quite the way that you did. But that’s fine. So I would say that, like a lot of things offensively, we made some improvements. Didn’t turn the ball over as much last week. That was a step in the right direction. Still obviously have a long way to go. Need to play better in situational football. There’s a lot of things we need to do better. I think we made some progress. So we’ll see where we’re at this week.

– Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

On Detroit running game

I mean about what you would expect. They build the formations. They have a core group of running plays, that complement each other. Play-actions come off that, primarily with the quarterback under center. They have a good sub-passing – or sub-running game with the quarterback in the gun. So call it a sub-running game. But they’ve had multiple explosive plays. I don’t know, four, five runs over 50 yards, whatever it is. To get 200 yards rushing on a handful of plays, that changes your numbers pretty significantly. They’ve done a great job at running the ball at second-and-long, second-and-7-plus. They’re averaging like 10 yards a carry, which is unheard of, or pretty unheard of. So they’ve done a great job in that area. Their backs have taken some short runs and turned them into long runs with good running, poor tackling, however you want to look at it. Which is always a factor in the running game, is the running back and the yards he makes after contact. But they’ve also created a lot of yards by blocking until the runner even gets to the first guy. So they’ve done a good job at both. But they have a good complimentary game. If you’re stopping one run, then they have another run that compliments that and vice versa. So they do a good job of, I’d say, keeping the defense balanced. Their tackles do a good job at the double team blocks, with [Taylor] Decker and [Penei] Sewell. They do a good job of creating space in the off-tackle areas. The backs are good backs. It’s not like Baltimore where the quarterback’s gained a lot of yardage. But if you look at the receivers, they’ve got about 100 yards too, right? Between [Amon-Ra] St. Brown and [Josh] Reynolds. So there’s another, some of the bonus yardage that’s going on there that you have to defend.

– Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

On game planning two quarterbacks

I don’t really look at it that way Phil [Perry]. I just don’t believe in taking last week’s game plan and building this week’s game plan off of last week’s game plan. I don’t believe in that. So I would never do that. I would take the breath of whatever it is we have, and say ‘okay, how does that fit into the opponent that we’re playing and the players that we’re playing with’ and build upwards from there. Rather than say here’s all of the plays we ran, whatever and whittle those down. I don’t even know if those are any good this week. I don’t know. That’s just not the way I would do it. I would build it up to whatever point you think gives your team the best chance to win, whether that’s on offense, defense or special teams. That’s the way I would look at it. I’m coming from the other direction if that makes any sense. Alright, okay.

– Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

Broadcast information

From Patriots.com

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by FOX and can be seen locally on WFXT-TV Channel 25. Kenny Albert will handle play-by-play duties with Jonathan Vilma as the color analyst. Shannon Spake will provide analysis from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Fran Morison and directed by Bryan Lilley.

LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.