After a blowout loss to the Packers, 45-27, let’s take a look at who’s up, who’s down, and who to watch ahead of the Patriots’ trip to Munich to play the Lions . . .
Three up
Wide receiver DeMario Douglas: It was slim pickings for “ups,” but Douglas led the Patriots with a career-high 102 receiving yards against the Packers. He got wide open in the second quarter for a 36-yard catch that brought them into Green Bay territory for the first time. Douglas was responsible for the offense’s two longest plays on the day, that 36-yard catch and a 33-yarder. It also was encouraging to see him prioritize ball security by going down after the catch, learning from a previous mistake (his fumble while fighting for extra yards in Week 6). Douglas is the team’s leading receiver with 434 yards.
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky: The 34-year-old Wishnowsky punted a season-high five times on Sunday, with four landing inside the 20-yard line. The Packers’ average starting field position off Wishnowsky’s punts was their 13. Wishnowsky did his part.
Edge rusher Elijah Ponder: Ponder helped the Patriots get a much-needed stop in the second quarter, sacking Jordan Love on third down to force a field goal and prevent the Packers from potentially going up by three touchdowns. Ponder also combined with Dre’Mont Jones for another sack at the end of the first half. Ponder is up to 7½ sacks on the season, ranking him among the likes of top pass rusher talent (David Bailey, T.J. Watt, and Greg Rousseau). Ponder’s emergence has been a pleasant surprise, mitigating the need on the edge.
Three down
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez: The Patriots’ secondary had trouble containing Packers receivers all game, but Gonzalez was the worst offender. The performance was alarming. Gonzalez, who in September signed a contract extension that made him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, gave up catch after catch to Matthew Golden and Christian Watson. According to Next Gen Stats, Golden and Watson combined for 187 receiving yards with Gonzalez in coverage. His effort also was lacking as a run defender. Gonzalez will have a chance to bounce back against the Lions, who boast talented receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Quarterback Drake Maye: After Maye’s rocky start to the season, it looked as though his struggles were behind him. He often was a steadying force of the offense, as injuries piled up around him. On Sunday, though, Maye reverted to his early-season self. He did not protect the football, throwing an interception on the second play of the game. He finished the game with three picks, and could have had a fourth if Packers cornerback Kamal Hadden hadn’t dropped one in the second quarter. Maye is tied with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert for the most interceptions this season (11).
Left guard Walter Rouse: Rouse entered the game after Ben Brown suffered a knee injury. His performance was a reminder of why he was benched in the first place. Rouse struggled in pass protection for the second straight week. He looked responsible on the third-down sack in the fourth quarter, as Packers defensive tackle Karl Brooks easily made his way past him to bring down Maye. With Brown expected to miss Sunday’s game, Rouse will be in line to start unless the Patriots activate Greg Van Roten off injured reserve.
Three to watch
Wide receiver A.J. Brown: Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Monday the plan is for Brown to make the trip to Germany, although the team hasn’t made a final decision. Brown, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener, has missed the past two games because of an issue with his knee. With the bye week nearing, it could be logical to have Brown stay home in an effort to get as close to 100 percent before Week 12. On the other hand, the bye week would give Brown additional time to recover if he gives it a go. The Patriots need additional offensive firepower to keep up with the Lions.
Running back Corey Kiner: With Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) expected to miss Sunday’s game and TreVeyon Henderson sidelined indefinitely, Kiner will be in line for his biggest workload yet. Kiner, acquired via a late August trade with the Cardinals, has shown some burst and promise in his limited reps. But can he handle all of Stevenson’s other responsibilities, such as pass protection?
Other injuries: The injuries keep piling up. The Patriots also will be monitoring cornerback Carlton Davis (knee), left tackle Will Campbell (knee), and special teamer Brenden Schooler (hamstring). Campbell reassured reporters after Sunday’s game he would be fine. Davis did not speak to the media and appeared to be moving very slowly through the locker room. If Davis cannot suit up, the secondary could be in trouble again.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.