Getting to the quarterback has been the M.O. for this year's Detroit Lions team, and their 3rd-best sack total (27) is proof of that plan working wonderfully.
This has been a recent change, with the Lions struggling mightily out the gate in 2025 to get any quarterback pressure. Without Alim McNeill or rookie defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard in the fold, Detroit was unable to get as much team success in the pocket as they are this season. A healthy Aidan Hutchinson also makes a huge difference for this team, despite his lower sack numbers.
It's also going to be key against the New England Patriots in Week 10, as Drake Maye has one of the most explosive arms in the NFL. Good thing for the Lions, though: they just executed a successful game plan against a similar talent in Jordan Love back in Week 7, and they can similarly replicate that game plan against the Patriots in Munich.
Lions have to get to Maye often and early in Week 10
Now, Love was sacked a total of one time in the Lions' Week 7 win, but he was also held to under 300 passing yards and to a 58.9 QBR. He also threw a pick right to Brian Branch, mostly thanks to a rushed throw on a 3rd and long situation forced by the Lions' defensive front.
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With Branch back in the fold, and with the Lions going back to more heavy man coverage in their secondary, their defensive front is once again a viable weapon against quarterbacks like Maye. Those who are explosive, good on their feet, and who get pretty decent protection from their offensive line. Putting pressure on Maye is necessary, but more than that, it'll be necessary for defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to be smart about utilizing his blitzing.
Maye's effectiveness against pressure and blitzing
Maye is 15th in EPA/play against the blitz amongst quarterbacks with at least 50 snaps played, per Sumer Sports. Against pressure, he's a heck of a lot better - while he's only posting a -0.04 EPA/play against pressure, that's good for second in the NFL overall amongst quarterbacks with at least 50 snaps, also per Sumer Sports. The only quarterback with a plus-EPA is Caleb Williams, and we know how much of a magician he is in the pocket.
Maye's an underrated magician, as well. It's what makes the Lions' depth such a blessing for them in this matchup, as they can rotate players in and out for fresher legs to keep up with him on the ground. This also puts the onus on the Lions' secondary to remain in man coverage, and sticky there.
Detroit's defense should have a very similar approach to how they defended Love, although this could be an even greater challenge as Maye does have the legs to make the Lions pay.
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