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Detroit Lions must watch out for this Patriots’ sleeper

By Steven Mullenax

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with Phillip Dorsett #13 in the second half during the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with Phillip Dorsett #13 in the second half during the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images /

With the Week Three matchup between the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots on tap, we went behind enemy lines for some insider intel.

The Detroit Lions have a tough task ahead of them. After an embarrassing Week One loss to the lowly New York Jets, and coming back home following a defeat on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions will now face off against the perennial Super Bowl contenders, the New England Patriots.

This Sunday Night Football primetime matchup was advertised as Matt Patricia versus his mentor, Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick. But Patricia, who was named the Lions’ new head coach earlier this year, is only two games into his tenure in the Motor City. Prior to his arrival in Detroit, he was the defensive coordinator in New England under Belichick for several years.

Still, if Detroit is somehow able to defeat the Patriots in Ford Field on Sunday night, it will be a big boost to both the city and the franchise who are facing a 0-3 start to their new season.

SideLion Report had the opportunity to go behind enemy lines to get some insider information about New England. Here are our five questions with site experts Kenneth Teape and Nick Ziegler over at Musket Fire, FanSided’s fan site dedicated to the Patriots.

#1. How do you feel about Matt Patricia, his time in New England, and his chances of finding success in Detroit?

MF: During his time with New England, Patricia showcased an incredible defensive mind. Even when the team was lacking in some areas whether it be injuries or ineffectiveness, he found a way to help make it work.

With Matthew Stafford in place, he has a good chance to succeed in Detroit. Attempting to replicate what Bill Belichick does in New England has not proved fruitful for people from his coaching tree.

There were already some rumbles of veterans being unhappy with how he conducted things. He needs to create a culture of his own, drawing from his experiences in New England instead of trying to copy them.

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