Lions vs. Patriots: Breaking Down New England's Game Plan

The New England Patriots enter Week 12 on a six-game winning streak, alone atop the AFC. Their reward? Back-to-back games against the burly Detroit Lions and the electric Green Bay Packers. The Lions are up first, presenting a much more physical presence than the finesse Indianapolis Colts, whom the Patriots dispatched with relative ease.

Here is what New England needs to do to notch their seventh win in a row.

Patriots Defense vs. Lions Offense

When you look at the Lions offense, your eyes can't help to be drawn to Calvin Johnson. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia mentioned Johnson and Golden Tate as players whom they have to keep an eye on this Sunday:

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[Johnson] is obviously a very big target with great speed, great length and really can build speed on you downfield and is really open all the time – just a large catch radius for a guy that size with his speed combination. He’s obviously a huge target and a huge challenge for us there.

Golden Tate is an extremely explosive player, great run after catch or run with the ball in his hands, whether it’s a reverse-type play or just a short pass or a deep pass, where he can get the ball in his hands and make things happen in open space. Certainly, tackling is an issue with him and obviously covering him.

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Expect to see Darrelle Revis covering Tate—not Johnson—come Sunday. Revis has the ability to erase Tate from the game, while Brandon Browner and a safety—likely Devin McCourty—can bracket Johnson. With Johnson still a bit gimpy, Browner should be able to wear him down as the game wears on.

That leaves Logan Ryan, Kyle Arrington and the linebackers to handle the tight ends, slot receivers and running backs.

If Rob Ninkovich and company can get any pressure on Stafford at all, the Patriots defense should have a good day.

Patriots Offense vs. Lions Defense

The Lions have invested heavily over the last few years in their defensive line, adding three first-round draft picks in Ndamukong Suh, Ezekiel Ansah and Nick Fairley. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels mentioned that defensive front as a big challenge in a conference call earlier this week:

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They present a lot of challenges for us, obviously. They have an aggressive front that does a great job of disrupting plays – it’s run and pass. They penetrate, get into the backfield. They’ll stunt, move and blitz quite a bit and give you a reason to have concern about those types of things as well.

They make a lot of tackles for loss, which puts them in ideal third-down situations. They’ve created a lot of third-and-longs that they’ve done a good job of getting off the field. 

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Staying on schedule has to be priority No. 1. That means no negative plays, something that Jonas Gray excelled at against the Indianapolis Colts. Look for the offensive line to use the explosiveness of the Lions defenders against them and use smart angles to take them out of the play. Traps, screens and draws will all be part of the package.

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

What They're Saying

While the Patriots don't typically listen to much of the press about themselves, Suh may have inadvertently riled up Brady with some comments earlier this week:

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They've been playing at a very high level. It's always a great challenge to go against Tom Brady and the type of guys that they have. It's exciting, and I look forward to getting to Foxborough and preparing for them the rest of this week. 

[...]

He's a normal quarterback or any other guy. I wouldn't say I get extra excited, but I'm always excited to go against any type of quarterback and have an opportunity to have success against them. 

"

Whether Suh meant anything by calling Brady "normal" will never be ascertained. However, if he has watched tape of any of the last six games, "abnormally great" would have been more apropos.

Tale of the Tape

Quarterback

Nobody in the NFL is playing at the same level as Tom Brady, except that guy in Green Bay. 

Verdict: Patriots

Running Backs 

Joique Bell, Reggie Bush and Theo Riddick complement each other so well. While Jonas Gray and Shane Vereen are playing well, the Lions win with depth here.

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Verdict: Lions

Wide Receivers

Johnson and Tate are preternatural talents, but Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell are maximizing every rep they take. With Johnson less than 100 percent due to an ankle issue, the Patriots earn a push based on the depth of Danny Amendola.

Verdict: Push

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski may be the toughest cover in the league right now. The depth of Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria makes this close, but you just can't match Gronkowski.

Verdict: Patriots

Offensive Line

Youngsters Riley Reiff and Larry Warford are holding this line together for the Lions, while New England's has finally found its stride. 

Verdict: Patriots

Defensive Line 

With Chandler Jones out, this is the clearest win for any positional group. If the Lions win, it will be on the back of their big men up front.

Verdict: Lions

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Linebackers

DeAndre Levy may be the best linebacker whom you have never heard of, but Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower are coming into their own as well.

Verdict: Push

Defensive Backs

Darius Slay has really progressed from his rookie season, but the Patriots may sport the best secondary in the league at this point.

Verdict: Patriots

Special Teams

Stephen Gostkowski is one of the most consistent kickers in the league. The Lions' kicking game has been a hot mess, before and after adding Matt Prater.

Verdict: Patriots

Overall: Patriots' 5-2-2

On paper, the Patriots have a solid advantage over the Lions. However, if the Lions' defensive line asserts itself, it could wreak havoc on New England's offensive plans. This game might be pretty close.

Wednesday's Injury Report Analysis (via Patriots.com) 

Did Not Practice: Chandler Jones, Cameron Fleming

Limited: Nate Ebner, Dominique Easley, Marcus Cannon, Julian Edelman Ryan Wendell

Full: Tom Brady

Fleming and Edelman are the additions to this week's report, with Matthew Slater regaining a healthy status. If Fleming misses time, that could put a dent in the power-running game that thrived against Indianapolis.

The Lions have a lot of question marks on the injury list, with Fairley, Johnson, Bell and Warford missing practice.

Stats and figures courtesy of NFL.com.