New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions from Germany: How to watch with Sling
The NFL heads to Munich, Germany as the Patriots take on the Lions. Watch live on FOX in designated markets by subscribing to Sling Select or Blue.
No NFL team is better suited to represent the red, white, and blue overseas than the New England Patriots. German fans will get a close look at the Pats when they visit Munich, Germany on Sunday, November 15 to take on the Detroit Lions. Both teams are in second place in their respective divisions, and neither has much margin for error. It sets up a fascinating matchup that could have major implications in the season’s home stretch. Here’s a full preview and how to watch the game with Sling. To watch NFL football with Sling, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Essentials & Select with Sports Extra.
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How to Watch Patriots vs. Lions from Germany with Sling
Kicking off at 9:30 AM ET on Sunday, November 15, the Patriots-Lions game is the first leg of a Week 10 tripleheader on FOX, which concludes with the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Dallas Cowboys at 4:25 PM ET (follow this link to find out which 1 PM ET game will be in your local market). FOX is available with a subscription to Sling Select or Sling Blue in designated markets. You can also subscribe to Select or Blue and log into the FOX One app to watch the game live. Check out the full list of markets with FOX in Sling Blue and Select below, and subscribe to Sling Select today.
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New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions Preview
https://youtu.be/6VmaFYQaf5I?si=f9h1uGf9OJj6gDoA
After their surprise run to the Super Bowl last season, the 5-4 Patriots have been as inconsistent as their record suggests. While they have a 3-0 record against the AFC East and handed the Buffalo Bills their only loss of the season, the Patriots are 0-3 against the NFC North. Last week, they suffered their worst loss of the Mike Vrabel era in a 45-27 home blowout to the Green Bay Packers. Now they face their third NFC North opponent in four weeks.
However, the electrifying offense Detroit is known for has lost some of its juice in recent weeks. The Lions averaged 32.8 points per game before their Week 6 bye, but have managed just 19.3 in the three games since. Despite this, the Lions are 3-0 during this stretch, a credit to their rebounding defense. Specifically, the Lions’ pass rush and run defense have been lights out; after surrendering 111 points over their first four games, Detroit has held opponents to only 62 points during their current four game winning streak. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL with 50 pressures, and DT Alim McNeill has 34 (second among interior linemen). On the ground, Detroit holds opponents to the fourth-lowest percentage of runs of 4+ yards. Put another way, it’s hard to run the ball against them, and when opponents drop back to pass, they’re getting pressure.
This game is likely to be decided based on which offense plays better. New England’s up-and-down play comes down to QB Drake Maye. He has eight TD passes of 30+ yards this season, and he’s accounted for 3+ TDs in six straight games, second only to Tom Brady's 10 in 2007 in team history. But New England was 31st in turnover margin (-7) even before a four-turnover loss to Green Bay in which the defense forced none. The offense isn’t exactly running smoothly in the Motor City either. Detroit converts just 37.2% of third downs (21st). On third-and-4 or shorter, they’re last in the league at 42.3% (11-of-26), against a league average of 59.5%. That's despite Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit’s star RB who is second in the league in both yards per game (105.9) and touchdowns (9).
Both teams are reliant on big plays for their offense, and both have offensive lines that are leaning on backups. Expect Detroit to blitz early and often to throw Maye off his game. This game could easily come down to whichever team hits on their explosive plays.
X-factors
Patriots: WR DeMario Douglas (slot receiver). With A.J. Brown uncertain, Romeo Doubs on IR and both top backs hurt, Douglas has become Maye's most reliable target. He had a career-high 102 yards against Green Bay (5 catches) and 76+ yards in three of his last four games. Against the league's pressure leader, quick slot throws are the release valve. He also led New England in the 2023 Frankfurt game (6 catches, 84 yards).
- What to watch for: How often Maye goes to Douglas within two seconds when Detroit blitzes.
Lions: DT Alim McNeill (interior defensive line). New England's weakest spot is guard: starters Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker are on IR, Brown is out, and Walter Rouse is likely to start. That's exactly where McNeill lines up. He has a career-high 5.5 sacks and 34 pressures, and he anchors a run defense that holds 61% of carries under 4 yards.
- What to watch for: Whether New England slides protection toward McNeill, which would leave Hutchinson one-on-one.
A high-stakes game between two explosive offenses in one of Europe’s premiere venues? This is a very healthy breakfast ahead of a long day of football. To watch with Sling Blue, Select, or on FOX One, subscribe today!