On The Beat: 5 questions with Lions writer Dave Birkett - Defense struggling

With the return of a new season, we’re bringing back our weekly “5 questions…” feature where we check in with a writer who covers the Patriots’ next opponent. For the Lions, we talked to Dave Birkett, who covers the team for the Detroit Free Press. Check him out on Twitter here.

1. We’ve heard a lot about Matt Patricia’s struggles in the early going. Have things improved at all as of late?



Patricia is still very much feeling his way around as a first-time head coach, and his players are still getting used to his methods and means. He's tried to bring a lot of the "Patriot Way" to Detroit, and the transition hasn't been smooth. Of course, losing doesn't help, and the fact that the Lions look so bad on defense right now falls squarely on his shoulders.

2. Is there a Detroit player on either side of the ball who might be operating under the radar right now who has a chance to have an impact Sunday night?

Kerryon Johnson may not be completely under the radar as a second-round pick, but he's the Lions' best running back and deserves to be playing ahead of LeGarrette Blount. If the Lions give him more snaps Sunday, he could have a significant impact. Defensively, outside linebacker Devon Kennard has been a big bright spot so far. He has three sacks and has given the Lions a pass-rushing presence while Ziggy Ansah has dealt with a back injury.

3. If you’re Patricia, what concerns you the most heading into Sunday’s game?

Can I pick the entire defense? The Lions have the NFL's worst rushing defense right now by about 25 yards per game. They've given up a half dozen big rushing plays and get no push out of their defensive line. But as bad they've been against the run, I'm worried what Tom Brady will do this secondary. Darius Slay probably won't play because of a concussion, which means Nevin Lawson and Teez Tabor likely will start at cornerback. Brady has to be licking his lips.

4. Where do you feel best?

There's not a ton to feel good about with the Lions so far this year, but the offense still has the potential to be very dangerous. Matthew Stafford has five turnovers this year, which is uncharacteristic of play the last few years, and Kenny Golladay has turned into a major weapon at receiver. The Lions have the goods to make some plays downfield in the passing game, and if they can balance things out with the run, they could keep this thing close.

5. The Lions win Sunday if…

Brady takes the second half off? Look, the Patriots haven't looked like world-beaters the first two weeks, so winning may not be as impossible a task as some have made it out to be. But the Lions are one of the three or four worst teams in the NFL right now and they'll need a lot to go right to spring the upset. They need to get pressure on Brady up the middle, they need Lawson and Tabor to play out of their minds, they need Stafford to take better care of the ball and they need to get off to a good start otherwise they're going to be jeered and loudly by their home fans.

Dave's pick -- Patriots 34, Lions 21: I just don't see much chance of a Lions victory. They're desperate, sure, but they're not very good right now in any phase of the game.