The New England Patriots and Detroit Lions will kick off Sunday’s action with a 9:30 a.m. game at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on Sunday, Nov. 15. The Lions enter the international matchup with a 6-2 record following a 19-9 victory over the Miami Dolphins that extended their winning streak to four games, though they remain narrowly in second place in a competitive NFC North behind the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, the Patriots sit second in the AFC East at 2-2 in their last four contests, looking to bounce back from a 45-27 defeat against the Green Bay Packers.
Team Matchup and Key Statistics
Both teams feature aggressive play-calling under head coaches Mike Vrabel and Dan Campbell, making middle-field execution crucial. The Patriots will play without Carlton Davis III, Ben Brown, and TreVeyon Henderson, while nine other players carry questionable tags, including A.J. Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Kevin Byard III. Brown returned to limited practice this week after missing two weeks and an earlier stint on injured reserve. Defensively, Detroit has tightened up by allowing 15.5 points per game over its last four outings following early struggles, while New England’s defense ranks eighth against the run allowing 96.7 yards per game, just behind the Lions’ 94.1 yards allowed. However, the Patriots rank eighth-worst in passing yards allowed at 231.9 per game, and the Lions’ pass defense sits at the bottom with 260.9 yards allowed per game. Detroit’s offense features running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has rushed for 847 yards, alongside wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has tallied 61 receptions for 657 receiving yards. St. Brown’s mother is from Germany, marking his first appearance on German soil. New England’s passing attack continues to face challenges, with quarterback Drake Maye tied for the league lead with 11 interceptions after throwing three picks against Green Bay.
International History and Broadcast Details
This fixture represents the sixth regular-season game held in Germany and the third in Munich, concluding the NFL’s European slate for the season following last year’s matchup between the Colts and Falcons at Olympic Stadium. Detroit Lions president and CEO Rod Wood stated that the organization is thrilled to play internationally in Munich and has invested significantly in the German market for their passionate fans. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15, at Allianz Arena, with television coverage on Fox and streaming available on fubo, alongside updates on the CBS Sports App. DraftKings lists the Lions as 2.5-point favorites.
The author predicts the Patriots will make adjustments and start stronger, projecting a final score of Patriots 33, Lions 30.
