Recap: Patriots shut out Lions, 29-0

Well, that was a game.

The Detroit Lions were shutout for the first time since Nov. 2020 as they were dominated in all facets by Bill Belichick's Patriots, who were starting their third-string QB, 29-0.

The Lions went for it on fourth down six times. They did not convert a single one — the first team in NFL history to accomplish such a feat. The secondary suffered five more injuries. Jared Goff turned the ball over twice. It was just a total disaster.

The bye week could not have come at a better time for this team. They will go into their week off at 1-4 and in search of answers.

Final: Patriots 29, Lions 0

Two-minute warning

-Q4 3:02: 0-for-6. It's 29-0 by the way.

-Q4 9:20: Make it 0-for-5 on fourth down today.

-Q4 11:13: BREAKING: The Detroit Lions have forced a punt. First time since the Vikings game, a total of 19 possessions for opposing offenses.

-Q4 13:12: Lions turn it over on downs again in the red zone. They are 0-for-4 on fourth down today.

End of third quarter: Patriots lead Lions 26-0

Lions are driving, if that means anything.

Patriots score first offensive TD

-Q3 1:51: Zappe throws a TD pass to Jakobi Meyers to make it 26-0. If you have any yard work you need to get done on this Sunday afternoon, now would be a good time to do that.

-Q3 3:41: The Lions' entire secondary is now injured. I'm not exaggerating. Even the backups are hurt.

-Q3 6:34: Lions turn it over on downs again. Not having a kicker is coming to back to bite them.

Patriots add their fourth FG

-Q3 10:09: Pats add another FG thanks in large part to a home-cooking DPI call on Jeff Okudah. 19-0. The defense has only allowed four field goals, so credit where credit is due.

Second half underway

Patriots up first on offense to start second half.

First half stats:

Goff: 4-8, 47 yards, INT, lost fumble

Williams: 13 rushes, 38 yards

J. Reynolds: 1 catch, 22 yards

Halftime: Patriots lead Lions 16-0

Patriots add a field goal going into the half.

Two-minute warning

Lions will be punting coming out of the break.

Patriots scoop and score

-Q2 3:26: Goff just gave right to a Patriots defender on 4th down and he returns it for a touchdown. This has been a disaster so far for the Lions. It's 13-0.

Lions get a much-needed turnover

-Q2 7:32: Bailey Zappe is picked off by DeShon Elliott on a tipped pass.

-Q2 10:03: Goff is sacked on third down to force the Lions out of field goal range. Not a good start for the offense.

Defense forces another FG

-Q2 14:14: Pats kick another field goal to make it 6-0. Credit to the Lions defense for limiting damage so far.

End of 1st quarter: Patriots lead Lions 3-0

Patriots are in the red zone, however.

Goff throws an interception

-Q1 5:32: Goff throws into double coverage and it's picked off. Gotta throw that one away.

Patriots kick a FG

-Q1 8:47: Lions defense force the Patriots to settle for three. Nick Folk sneaks it through from 37 yards out. 3-0 Pats.

-Q1 10:15: Lenghthy injury break for Lions safety Saivion Smith, who had to be taken off the field in an ambulance. Hard to tell what exactly happened. Scary scene in Foxborough.

-Q1 11:09: Lions turn it over on downs. Patriots ball in Lions territory.

Kickoff

Patriots win the toss and defer. Lions up first on offense.

Injury designations

ACTIVE: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), WR Josh Reynolds (ankle), G Jonah Jackson (finger)

INACTIVE: RB D'Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder), WR D.J. Chark (ankle), OT Matt Nelson, DL Charles Harris (groin), DL John Cominsky, S JuJu Hughes, CB Amani Oruwariye (healthy scratch)

Pregame

The Detroit Lions will look to get revenge on their former head coach as they head to Gillete Stadium to take on the Patriots on Sunday.

Matt Patricia has been the primary playcaller for the Pats' offense this season after Josh McDaniels left to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Given the Lions struggles on defense, this may not be as easy of a matchup as it seems.

The Lions will look to head into the bye with a good taste in their mouths.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Matthew Scheidel.

Lions at Patriots

▶ Kickoff: 1 p.m. Sunday, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.

▶ TV/radio: FOX/97.1

▶ Records: Lions 1-3, Patriots 1-3

▶ Line: Patriots by 3