MUNICH -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Patriots resolve: The Patriots are 6-0 under coach Mike Vrabel in regular-season games after a loss, and they look to keep that streak alive Sunday as underdogs against the Detroit Lions at FC Bayern Munich Arena (Fox, 9:30 a.m. ET).
Quarterback Drake Maye summed up Vrabel's knack for bringing out the best in his team in those situations, saying, "Coach Vrabes always says, 'Try not to ride the roller coaster. Try to ride the merry-go-round.' Keep going around and trying to keep the same mindset."
A seven-hour international trip to Munich after the sting of last week's 45-27 home loss to the Packers has created a unique challenge. Not to mention the 6-2 Lions are among the league's upper-echelon teams, playing in arguably the league's best division, the NFC North.
The 5-4 Patriots have their bye after the game, but the urgency around the team has been evident as it tries to stay afloat in the AFC playoff chase. If the playoffs started today, the Patriots would be the No. 7 and final seed in the AFC.
Starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who has a knee tendon issue that is threatening his availability for the game, has been pushing to play. Likewise with receiver A.J. Brown, who missed the past two games because of a knee flare-up but returned to practice this week and had Vrabel feeling "pretty good" about his status early Friday.
As for the defense, which was carved up by the Packers in an uncharacteristic string of fundamental and communication breakdowns, the unit struck Vrabel's merry-go-round theme with its approach this week.
"We've been there before. You get another opportunity and what you do with that is up to us," said cornerback Marcus Jones, one of the team's six captains. "We went back into the film room, accepted the situation of what we put out there on film, and our job is to not put that back out again. We have the guys that can do it."
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, the 2024 second-team All-Pro, is under the brightest spotlight. He was targeted relentlessly last week, allowing a career-high 10 catches for a career-high 187 yards, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Gonzalez will need to rebound against top Lions receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown (ranks ninth in receiving yards per game; 82.1) and Jameson Williams (leads NFL receivers in most air yards per target; 15.43).
Asked about the Patriots' resolve after losses under Vrabel, Gonzalez said it comes back to the team identity Vrabel preaches.
"Leaning on the guys; after a loss, you stick together," he said. "You have a bad taste, so you want to go out there and play better."
Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr was pleased with how defenders responded in their biggest practice of the week on Wednesday. That was held in Foxborough before players traveled to Munich later that night, and Kuhr cited energy, execution, and improved communication and connection among defensive backs as areas that created a "let's get this thing right" vibe.
The Patriots had a similar situation after their 35-6 loss to the Jaguars in Week 3 and rebounded with a 29-26 upset road win over the Bills.
Can they do it against the Lions in Munich?
"It's always a good reminder after a loss. It kind of wakes you up a little bit," tight end Hunter Henry said. "And obviously, the way we lost the other day will definitely wake you up."
2. Travel strategy: Will it make a difference that the Patriots arrived in Munich on Thursday morning and the Lions arrived on Friday morning? The Patriots went the earlier route so they could have a walkthrough Thursday and then more of a higher-tempo practice Friday.
"Just having done this a few times, maybe how you feel coming over here Friday and what you're able to get done, I felt like we maybe wanted to do a little more than what had been done in the past on Friday," Vrabel said.
As for the Lions, coach Dan Campbell said he was "very confident" in the approach to arrive Friday. He acknowledged Friday is the "hardest day," as he saw "a little bit of the head bob" from players in meetings, but promised things would evolve.
"I know every eight hours here, we're going to begin to acclimate," Campbell said. "I know by the time we hit Sunday morning into that Sunday afternoon game, we're going to be ready to go."
3. Milton's fine system: The Patriots have had seven offside or encroachment penalties over the past two games, and defensive tackle Milton Williams has had enough. He shared Friday that he has instituted a fine of $1,000 for any front-seven defender who commits those infractions this week, with the proceeds going to Patriots support staff.
"I had a couple earlier in the season. I feel like we talked about it, but it's not enough consequences that come with it, other than hurting the team," he said. "So hurt your pockets -- make you think about it a little bit more."
4. Turnover tale: The Patriots have failed to record a positive turnover differential in all nine games this season, which is their longest drought since 2005, according to ESPN Research. It has been one of the top storylines of their season, along with injuries, and the theme resonated in Munich leading up to kickoff.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels pointed to timing as a key factor in Maye's three interceptions last week against the Packers, saying, "If we see things a hair earlier, it might be a big play."
Playing a turnover-free game was a noted goal among players this week.
"It starts with the ball for us. Obviously, we haven't treated it well and have turned it over a lot," tight end Hunter Henry said in reference to the 19 giveaways that are tied for most in the NFL. "We've got to make a change in some aspect and put our foot down."
5. German flavor: Among the lighthearted Patriots tales from Munich:
Vrabel introduced trivia in Friday's team meeting by asking players if they knew the nine countries bordering Germany. No surprise that German-born practice squad offensive lineman Lorenz Metz had some of the answers.
Metz hosted the weekly offensive line dinner and introduced his teammates, who included tight ends and quarterbacks, to traditional German fare. "That was a lot of pork," center Jared Wilson said.
Some players visited McDonald's and relayed a surprise that chicken wings were on the menu. "The McDonald's here is top tier," Wilson cracked.
Milton Williams and special teamer Brenden Schooler said they were wide awake at 2 a.m. Friday, trying to adjust, with Schooler hitting the weight room in the hotel at 4 a.m. to get himself moving.
6. A.J.'s faith: DeMario 'Pop' Douglas said having Brown return to practice this past week gave the team a boost because he's the leader among receivers, and that has also shown up behind the scenes in a different way.
"He started a bible study with some of the guys. I'm loving his growth in faith, and I feel like that's been getting us closer," Douglas said.
7. They said it: "We're just always looking for guys that are looking for ways in as opposed to ways out. At this point in the season, 10 weeks straight without a bye, there's pretty much nobody out there that's 100%. We have to recognize that, but we also have to find ways to do our job. And Rhamondre's one of those players looking for a way in." -- Vrabel, on Rhamondre Stevenson pushing to play through a knee tendon issue
8. Maye and FIFA: The Patriots spent three days at FC Bayern Munich's training facility leading up to Sunday's game, and that had Maye reflecting on the days he played the FIFA video game with his brothers, one of whom often beat him with Bayern.
"First thing that comes to mind is Harry Kane. Big fan of him," Maye said, before rattling off some players on the roster in a moment the German media seemed to appreciate.
9. Hunter intel: Undrafted rookie linebacker/core special teamer Erick Hunter entered the NFL with the Lions before landing on the Patriots' 53-man roster after being cut by Detroit at the end of preseason. He is tied for the team lead with 10 special teams tackles this season. He talked about a few things of note this week.
On his journey from Morgan State to NFL: "It was hard but fair. The path that's easy to take isn't always the best. People always asked, 'Why didn't you transfer?' The biggest thing to me was I had an opportunity and took advantage of it every year."
Going from the Lions to Patriots: "It was the fastest answered prayer I ever had in my life. I learned about [waiver] claims and those things once it was happening. I prayed hard, and about 25 minutes later, my agent called me."
His favorite team growing up: "Washington. I really liked that year with RG3 [Robert Griffin III], Pierre Garcon, Alfred Morris. [Current teammate] Morgan Moses was on that team as well."
10. Did You Know: At 0-3 against NFC opponents this season, the Patriots could become just the third team to play in a Super Bowl and go winless against the opposing conference the following season -- joining the 1999 Falcons (0-4) and 1970 Chiefs (0-2-1). The Patriots' remaining games versus NFC teams are Sunday's game against the Lions and a Week 14 home game against the Vikings.