Roundtable: Previewing the Lions’ Week 10 Matchup Against Patriots in Munich
Lions players to watch
Christian Booher and Vito Chirco expect Amon-Ra St. Brown to have a prominent role. Booher pointed to St. Brown’s family roots in Germany and his popularity in the region, while Chirco cited those ties and Carlton Davis being out for the Patriots.
Emmett Matasovsky chose defensive tackle Alim McNeill, saying overseas games can favor a physical style. He sees McNeill as the strongest candidate to stand out among himself, Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyleik Williams, with Aidan Hutchinson likely to draw double teams.
How staff view overseas games
Booher said he would enjoy watching Detroit compete on an international stage and noted the team appears to have a strong fan contingent there. Chirco likes the broadcasts as an alternative to traditional pregame shows.
Matasovsky enjoys having football early in the morning but prefers the overseas game as an occasional event. He said he would not want the Lions to play abroad every year, as he believes could become the norm.
Patriots pose different threats
Booher pointed to cornerback Christian Gonzalez as a challenge for Detroit’s receivers, including St. Brown and Jameson Williams. He also said quarterback Drake Maye has strong arm talent, despite his struggles with interceptions.
Chirco also singled out Maye, who threw three interceptions and completed 55.3 percent of his passes in Week 9 against Green Bay. Chirco expects him to respond against Detroit. Matasovsky said New England has yet to play a clean game and warned the Lions have sometimes struggled to force turnovers.
Travel ideas from the staff
Booher would choose Munich, where he said the Lions and fans appear to be enjoying themselves, or Italy, which is on his travel wish list. Chirco picked Mexico, citing friends there, its resorts and its passionate sports fans.
Matasovsky said he would favor somewhere warm after the recent weather. He also named Germany and Australia as places he would like to visit.
Key points
- Booher and Chirco expect Amon-Ra St. Brown to be central to Detroit’s plans.
- Matasovsky picked Alim McNeill as a potential Lions standout.
- The staff identified Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez as possible challenges for Detroit.
- Staff opinions differed on whether overseas games should remain occasional or become an annual fixture.