Three interceptions before halftime will make a quarterback’s confidence a talking point in a hurry. Richard Sherman watched Drake Maye’s latest outing and saw a problem the New England Patriots need to address before their trip to Germany.

With the Detroit Lions waiting in Munich, Sherman questioned Maye’s decision-making and picked Detroit to keep the pressure on. He also had a message for the Lions’ offense: Take the shots, as New England just showed it could surrender.

Richard Sherman Questions Drake Maye’s Confidence After Packers Loss

Previewing the matchup on “The Richard Sherman Podcast,” Sherman said Detroit’s chances depend heavily on forcing Maye into another mistake-filled afternoon.

“His confidence is starting to waver. It definitely wavered in that last game,”Sherman said.

He pointed to Maye’s interceptions against the Green Bay Packers, describing them as “some kind of bonehead interceptions last week.”

Maye, who ranks fourth on PFN’s QB Impact Metric, threw three first-half picks in New England’s 45-27 loss on Nov. 8. He finished with 299 passing yards and three touchdowns, but those scoring throws could not erase the damage from repeatedly giving Green Bay the ball.

The defeat dropped the Patriots to 5-4 ahead of their Nov. 15 meeting with Detroit.

Sherman believes the Lions can exploit the same issues. “If the Lions can force him into those same situations, then I think they win this game,” he said.

Maye’s confidence has also drawn scrutiny from Packers star Micah Parsons, adding another prominent defensive voice to the discussion about the quarterback’s uneven stretch.

There is still production to build around. Maye has accounted for at least three touchdowns in six consecutive games, according to the Patriots’ official game notes. The problem is that the positive plays have often come with costly mistakes, leaving New England trying to repair damage it helped create.

For Sherman, Detroit’s assignment is to make Maye uncomfortable enough that those questionable decisions show up again.

Sherman Wants Jared Goff to Attack New England Downfield

Sherman’s prediction also depends on Jared Goff attacking a Patriots secondary that struggled against Green Bay. Christian Watson finished that game with 171 receiving yards, while Matthew Golden added 164.

His preferred weapon for Detroit is Jameson Williams.

“I think Jared Goff is going to have to find Jameson Williams down the field,” Sherman said. “This New England Patriots defense is vulnerable, and they’re on the ropes.”

Sherman acknowledged Christian Gonzalez’s difficult game against Watson and Golden, while noting that an elite cornerback will expect to respond. He still wants Detroit to challenge Gonzalez with Williams’ speed.

“Find your one-on-one with Christian Gonzalez and make his hamstrings work,” Sherman said.

That is a fairly direct instruction from a former cornerback. Sherman wants Goff to test whether New England can prevent the explosive plays that cost it its previous game.

“I don’t think this is a game you can try to dink and dunk down the field,” he added.

Detroit enters at 6-2, giving the Patriots another demanding opponent immediately after the loss to the Packers. Sherman ultimately picked the Lions, with turnovers and an aggressive passing attack forming the basis of his prediction.

New England has a chance to answer both concerns in the same game. Maye needs to protect possessions, and the secondary needs to keep Detroit from turning a routine completion into a long afternoon. Another early interception or deep touchdown would give Sherman’s assessment some uncomfortable supporting evidence.