The Pats come into this matchup versus the Detroit Lions a tad worse for wear. Sure, they impressed the hell out of everybody keeping it close with the Green Bay Packers last week. Taking Aaron Rodgers to overtime with a third-string quarterback in Bailey Zappe. But this Lions team just isn’t going to go down soft as the Packers did for all but a quarter and a half.
This Lions team might be 1-3. But they have the highest-scoring offense in football. Also while having the worst scoring defense in the league through four weeks. The Patriots are bringing it back a few decades with their new uniforms, and this game should be old-school too. Ground-and-pound offenses going toe to toe. We’ll see what the Pats and Lions can do on an old-look Gillette Stadium field Sunday afternoon. but first, the delayed weekly preview. Set it up, (Jake) Bailey! Let’s get this one underway.
Three Keys to The Game
Key #1: Make It Easy For Zappe
Listen, I know there’s a whole lot of excitement surrounding the fourth-round rookie from Western Kentucky. But let’s take a step back and look at his performance last week. He threw 15 passes in three quarters. Completing 10 for 99 yards and a score. He didn’t puke on himself. Wonderful. But he didn’t do much to WIN you the game.
Let’s face it, this offense is simply castrated without Brian Hoyer or Mac Jones in the starting lineup. There isn’t a whole lot you can do with Zappe because he just doesn’t know the playbook. So the Pats are probably going to have to play a similar game plan as last week. This Lions team doesn’t need any more opportunities than they’re gonna get. They’re fast, loose, and aggressive. Try not to make that work in their favor.
Key #2: Play Into Detroit’s Aggressiveness
For all of Detroit’s faults. They’re going to give it their best effort. They’re taught to be rather undisciplined. Just go out there, hit hard, run fast, and make plays. They’re just going to keep coming at you until the clock hits zero. Whether it’s 40-40 or 40-0 they’re going to make you earn it. But this playstyle also comes with its faults as well.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been on fire this year. He’s a big part of why this squad has been so competitive. As well as Amon-Ra St. Brown. They’re a firecracker offense with big play potential every game. But that means they’re going to force some plays too. If Bill Belichick can coach his defense up to take advantage of these opportunities and capitalize? This game could be over for Detroit quickly. A couple of early turnovers will really put Belichick in a place where he can manage the game and get out. That should be the goal.
Key #3: Hand The Ball Off
I don’t care what Pats fans have to say about “let the kid sling it”. There’s a good chance that ends up in four Zappe turnovers and costs New England a desperately needed win. You thought they had to play it safe with Hoyer? They’re twice as castrated with Zappe under center. I think you’re going to see a lot of power run in this game. Trying to control the clock, and limit Detroit’s opportunities to light the turf at Gillette on fire.
The Patriots have two really good running backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris. Who performed adequately last week against a superior Defense in Green Bay. Use them! Don’t get cute and think Zappe is going to will you to victory. He’s not the second coming of Tom Brady. Despite what homers and Boston Sports Radio might tell you.
X-Factor: Matt Patricia
If there’s anybody who wants this win more than Matt Patricia, it’s probably Lions fans across the nation. Patricia is going to have to construct a game plan that is friendly to a fourth-round rookie quarterback who probably wasn’t expecting to see playtime this season. But also is aggressive enough to keep up with a Lions offense that has scored over 35 in all but one of their games. This game falls at the feet of Matty P. If this offense can’t get to the 25-point mark in this game? I’m not sure the Patriots’ defense is strong enough to keep them under that.
Concluding Thoughts/Predictions
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Remember the good old days when who was playing quarterback wasn’t an issue for the Patriots? For 20-some-odd years, fans could at the very least be assured that Tom Brady would be in the starting lineup. He never got hurt. He was never in question. We’re entering a third year where the signal caller position has been subject to some turbulence. With Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham dominating discussions in 2020, then Cam vs Mac Jones in pre-season 2021, and now Zappe having to come in for both Hoyer and McCorkle.
If the Patriots had Hoyer the Destroyer or Mac Jones in the starting lineup? I think the offense is good enough to squeak by this Lions team as the defense takes advantage of all the opportunities Goff and the Lions will give them. With Zappe? I don’t know if the offense will make good on the one or two extra possessions they’ll get from Dan Campbell‘s aggressive mistakes. I just can’t pick new England to win with this uncertainty. I think it will be close because Bill Belichick is a mastermind game planner, but much like last week, the Pats can’t afford to take the aggressive shots they’ll need to in order to take home a win.
Final Score: 35-26, Lions win (Patriots fall to 1-4)
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