Afternoon Lions Links for Thursday 9-20-18

Articles:

Lions vs. Patriots practice report: Sept. 20:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-vs-patriots-practice-report-sept-20

NFC NORTH: Early impact performers for each team:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/nfc-north-early-impact-performers-for-each-team

Lions star Darius Slay probably won't play against Patriots:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/lions_star_darius_slay_probabl.html

It had been 638 days since Lions TE Michael Roberts scored a TD. Just ask him.:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/it_had_been_638_days_since_mic.html

Tom Brady's NFL debut came in a blowout loss to the Lions. He hasn't lost to Detroit since.:  https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/09/7282e88b6e6032/tom-bradys-nfl-debut-came-in-a.html

Mel Kiper has 7 straight defensive players atop 2019 NFL Draft big board:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/mel_kiper_has_7_straight_defen.html

Detroit Lions must slow down Rob Gronkowski to beat Patriots. But how?: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/20/detroit-lions-stopping-rob-gronkowski/1368663002/

Lions' Decker: I wasn't tipping plays vs. 49ers:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/20/detroit-lions-taylor-decker/1372644002/

Detroit Lions wary of Patriots' Tom Brady-Rob Gronkowski combo:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/20/detroit-lions-wary-new-england-patriots-tom-brady-rob-gronkowski-combo/1371295002/

Lions mailbag: Defense should be focus of rebuild:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/09/20/detroit-lions-mailbag-defense-should-focus-rebuild/1366592002/

Lions' run-pass ratio has been historically lopsided in 2018:  http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/34382/lions-runpass-ratio-has-been-historically-lopsided-in-2018

Bill Belichick has had edge in 'teacher vs. pupil' matchups: http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4814975/bill-belichick-has-had-edge-in-teacher-vs-pupil-matchups

Barnwell: Ranking NFL's 0-2 teams from eliminated to (barely) alive:  http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24730644/ranking-nfl-0-2-teams-eliminated-alive-playoff-race-2018-season

LeGarrette Blount ready for fun matchup vs. Patriots:   https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/Article/LeGarrette-Blount-running-back-ready-for-Patriots--122254068/

Glover Quin 'has to make more plays' for Lions:   https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/Article/Glover-Quin-Lions-safety-has-to-make-more-plays-122249984/

Bill Belichick: Matthew Stafford one of NFL's best quarterbacks:  https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/Article/Bill-Belichick-Matthew-Stafford-one-of-NFLs-best-122240920/

Former Detroit Lions TE Fauria says Matt Stafford is good enough to lead team to Super Bowl:   https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/former-detroit-lions-te-fauria-says-matt-stafford-is-good-enough-to-lead-team-to-super-bowl
Joe Fauria on Detroit Lions culture: Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson left knowing they'd never win:   https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/joe-fauria-on-lions-culture-2-best-at-their-positions-left-early-because-they-knew-they-d-never-win
Fauria says Colin Kaepernick isn't only player blackballed in NFL:   https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/former-detroit-lions-te-joe-fauria-colin-kaepernick-isn-t-only-player-blackballed-by-nfl

Articles from Opposing Teams Media:

Scouting the Matchup: Offense looks to get in gear in Detroit:  https://www.patriots.com/news/scouting-the-matchup-offense-looks-to-get-in-gear-in-detroit

Josh Gordon presents a unique preparation problem for Detroit Lions if newest New England Patriot plays Sunday:   http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2018/09/josh_gordon_presents_a_unique.html

Mike Tirico is keeping a close eye on Matt Patricia in Detroit:   https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2018/09/20/mike-tirico-is-keeping-a-close-eye-on-matt-patricia-in-detroit

Patriots vs. Lions: 3 matchups to watch:  https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/20/3-matchups-to-watch-during-patriots-vs-lions/

Video:

Patricia careful not to overwhelm team with Patriots info:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/patricia-careful-not-to-overwhelm-team-with-patriots-info

Tate on facing New England:   https://www.detroitlions.com/video/tate-on-facing-new-england

Decker on offensive line play:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/decker-on-offensive-line-play

X's and O's with Dan Orlovsky: Week 3:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/x-s-o-s-with-dan-orlovsky-week-3