Two-minute drill: Patriots-Lions face off in Germany, divisional rematches, Kirk Cousins-Vikings reunion, and more

Week 9 in the NFL saw some of the top teams around the league flex their muscle with statement performances. With the trade deadline in the rearview, he is what to watch as we head into Week 10 and what stood out the most in the past week.

Patriots face Lions in Munich; Cowboys host 49ers

Coming off a disastrous 45-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers (6-3) on Sunday, the New England Patriots (5-4) prepare to face another NFC North opponent, the Detroit Lions (6-2), as Munich, Germany, plays host to its third regular-season NFL game.

From a secondary that was shredded by Packers quarterback Jordan Love (23-of-29, 372 yards, four total touchdowns) to the four turnovers from New England’s offense, the Patriots beat themselves in multiple ways. In order to have any chance of getting back on track against a surging Lions team that has won its last four, QB Drake Maye has to improve against stiffer competition with just nine passing TDs and 11 interceptions in New England’s six games against teams with a winning record this season.

Touchdowns were hard to come by in Detroit’s 19-9 win over the Miami Dolphins (1-7) on Sunday, but a win is a win regardless. However, as a team that scores the fifth-most points per game (27.8 PPG), the Lions have the firepower to put up some points on this Patriots team as well as they try to stay afloat in a competitive NFC North race.

In the marquee late afternoon window on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers (7-1) travel to face the Dallas Cowboys (4-5) at AT&T Stadium. While QB Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense were efficient coming out of their bye, it was the defense that stole the show in a 38-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders (4-5), overcoming a minus-3 turnover ratio with three interceptions off former Raiders QB Kirk Cousins and three forced fumbles, two of which were recovered.

For the Cowboys, it was hard to be encouraged by a 27-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts (2-7) after blowing a double-digit lead before scoring a late TD and sealing the win with an interception. Just one game removed from a stunning 33-30 loss to the Arizona Cardinals (3-6), Dallas is just glad to be in an underwhelming NFC East division at this point.

Vikings-Packers, Steelers-Bengals set for divisional clashes

It has not been smooth sailing for the Minnesota Vikings (6-2), who have now lost their last two games after entering Week 8 as the NFL’s only unbeaten team. Although they did not have starting QB Kyler Murray (hamstring) for Monday night’s loss to the Buffalo Bills (7-1), they have not been much better with him, though they still have the league’s top defense (14.5 PPG) and handed the Packers a 39-22 loss in Week 1.

Whether it be Love’s efficiency throwing the ball, the unstoppable WR combination of Christian Watson and Matthew Golden or the suffocating defense, the Packers look dangerous right now as star pass-rusher Micah Parsons inches closer to a return. However, concerns still remain in the run game after Josh Jacobs suffered a broken finger and could potentially go on injured reserve.

On Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) return from their bye for a second meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) in what is sure to be another competitive AFC North battle. While the defense has only allowed a combined 16 points the last two games, QB Aaron Rodgers has shown glimpses of the MVP form from his prime and passed for three TDs in Pittsburgh’s 30-27 win over Cincinnati earlier this season.

The Bengals have not exactly got off to fast starts this season, but they are arguably the most dangerous team in the league when everything is clicking. That was certainly the case in a 34-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons (3-6) as QB Joe Burrow’s MVP case continued to grow with 271 yards and three TDs on a whopping 82.8% completions.

Jaguars, 49ers, Vikings headline trade-deadline moves

The Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2) have the fourth-ranked offense (28.6 PPG) and the second-best scoring defense (15.1 PPG). If that was not enough already, they may be best positioned to come out of the AFC after acquiring former Philadelphia Eagles (2-7) defensive tackle Jordan Davis and three-time second-team All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III from the Falcons.

While Davis’ run defense and Bates’ ball-hawk skills in the secondary could put the Jaguars over the top, albeit at a steep price, the 49ers got some receiving help on their end by acquiring WR Keenan Allen from the Colts, who continued their fire sale by sending WR Josh Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) in one of the biggest deals of the day.

The Bills also bolstered their struggling secondary in a trade for Tennessee Titans (1-7) safety Amani Hooker. The biggest trade to take place, however, happened about an hour from the 4 p.m. ET deadline when the Vikings acquired Cousins from the Raiders with the hope that the former starter in Minnesota can provide a spark to the its sixth-worst scoring offense (18.3 PPG).