Lions Outrun Patriots 35-10 in Munich After Maye Ankle Injury

The Detroit Lions defeated the New England Patriots 35-10 on Sunday in Munich, Germany, behind a 494-yard offensive effort. The loss drops the Patriots to 5-5 and marks their second consecutive defeat. They enter their upcoming bye week having lost three of their last four games.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye exited the game during the first drive of the contest. He sustained an injury to his right ankle after being sacked by Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Maye did not return to the field for the remainder of the game.

Head coach Mike Vrabel stated that tests will be conducted in the United States to determine the severity of the injury. He described the injury as a low leg injury and said Maye could not run or function at the level required to play quarterback. Vrabel noted that Hutchinson caught up to Maye and pulled him down from behind during the play.

Vrabel said he did not consider the sack improper. He stated that he did not think the contact was intentional. He said, 'I'm not going to assume there was something there.' He added that he is sure it was not intentional and that it is part of the game. Hutchinson was injured during his celebration after making the sack.

Backup quarterback Tommy DeVito started the game with Maye. DeVito completed 12 of 24 passes for 81 yards. He threw one interception and one touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The touchdown pass went to tight end Lan Larison. The Patriots offense managed only 151 total yards for the game.

DeVito said the team played on the Lions' terms rather than their own style. He said, 'We never got to establish who we were.' He added that he must play better, sustain drives, and stop feeling lax. He said he is prepared to be a starter if needed after the bye week.

The Patriots offense lacked production from key position players. Wide receiver A.J. Brown was listed as questionable before the game but played. He had two catches for 27 yards before leaving in the second half with a hamstring problem. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed six times for four yards.

The Lions offense was led by running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 99 yards. Quarterback Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught two of those passes. One of those plays was a 56-yard touchdown catch that gave Detroit a 7-3 lead.

Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said the defense had moments where ten players did the right thing while one did not. He said the team needs linebackers to run to the hit and safeties and corners to pursue the ball. He noted that screen passes led to several big plays for Detroit.

Patriots safety Kevin Byard III intercepted a pass in the end zone near the end of the first half. Byard said the 5-5 record is a disappointment but not a panic. He said the team must reset its mindset for the stretch run. He stated that everything the team wants is still in front of them and that they must start winning together.