Even though the Lions coaching staff has made it clear how much they believe in their current roster, there was some expectation that the front office could make some moves ahead of the trade deadline to shore up some concerns in the secondary.
Head coach Dan Campbell doubled down on the lack of moves as he remains confident in the current group that is assembled. Even though they still have areas to address, the Lions did add some safety depth by acquiring Andre Cisco from the Jets and they enter Week 10 on the heels of a four-game win streak with 21 points or fewer allowed in each of those games.
As the Lions prepare to face the Patriots in Munich, Germany, on Sunday, many would immediately point to the favorable matchup that could present itself due to quarterback Drake Maye's turnovers and New England's 5-4 record. Campbell, however, believes the Patriots are better than their record indicates and said their offense is "potent."
"(Drake Maye) is as good as they come getting out of the pocket," Campbell said during his media availability, per three-time NSMA Michigan Sportscaster of the Year Brad Galli. "That's where he's dangerous."
That may be the case considering Maye has the sixth-most passing yards in the league (2,282) and the fifth-best QBR (74.3), but the poor decision-making in the pocket and turnover-prone nature he continues to show could certainly lead to a fifth straight win for Detroit if it can keep him under duress.
Lions should not overlook Patriots despite their rash of turnovers
With the Lions set for their first international game in 11 years, they have to feel much better about their season compared to the way it started with a defense that could not get off the field.
A lot of that success has stemmed from the improved play defensively, but it also has to do with QB Jared Goff's efficient play (15 touchdowns, two interceptions) and running back Jahmyr Gibbs' 847 rushing yards and nine TDs on the ground, which are good for third and second, respectively, in each category.
That said, some depth concerns at linebacker and the questions that remain in the secondary due to injuries and inconsistent play are worth monitoring, especially when you look ahead at a schedule that includes a stingy Buccaneers defense and the high-powered Bears offense in their two games back stateside following Sunday's contest in Germany.
While both games will be at Ford Field, four of Detroit's final eight games after Sunday are against NFC North opponents and will be pivotal given the competitiveness in that division. That is even more incentive to not overlook the Patriots this week and show up ready to play.
Sure, Maye has nine TDs and 11 interceptions in New England's six games against teams with a winning record this season. However, he also had 11 TDs and only one interception in the four games before last Sunday's 45-27 loss to the Packers and was playing his best ball of the season.
Aside from the Bears, the other teams during that stretch all had a losing record, so it is important to take those performances with a grain of salt until Maye demonstrates that he can do that on a consistent basis. Combine that with a team that could not stop beating itself against the Packers with four total turnovers, and it would certainly be easy for the Lions to look past the Patriots amid their recent string of momentum.
Even though the Week 9 win over the Dolphins was uglier than it needed to be, the defense showed up, and the Lions prevailed. A reeling Patriots team that continues to turn the ball over should present some opportunities on both sides of the ball, but Campbell has made it clear of the possibility of a trap game.
If the Lions want to keep pace in the NFC North and return stateside with their winning streak intact, they may want to use their coach's advice and take care of business against a team that is plenty capable of defeating them if they limit their turnovers.
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