FOXBORO -- On paper, it's a lopsided contest.

The 2-9 Detroit Lions visit Gillette Stadium on Sunday to play the 8-3 New England Patriots and, yes, it would appear to be an easy victory for the home team.

Even though the aforementioned is probably in the minds and hearts of most fans, the Patriots' players and staff are not even thinking that way. New England is approaching this game as though its opponent has never lost.

During meetings yesterday and on Monday, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stressed the importance -- even more than usual -- of not taking Detroit too lightly. He told his players that every team is in it because now is the time of the year when teams realize their strengths and limitations. When that happens, anything is possible.

"We have to play better than we played last week," said Belichick. "Hopefully, we can have a good week of practice and perform better on Sunday and do a little better job coaching this week."

Every week it's the same mantra from the coach as his even-keel attitude obviously works, and the players live by it. No one in the Patriots' locker room will say anything controversial or call an opposing player or team out. Opponents don't have too much motivational bulletin-board material from the Patriots.

"I say it all the time," said fullback Heath Evans, "our head coach is mentally tough, so it's a contagious mentality around here."

That's why New England is not chalking up its game against the lowly Lions as an easy victory.

"I don't think there are any teams you can just show up, roll the helmets out there and expect to beat," said quarterback Tom Brady. "You have to bring it every week. You talk about a team like [the Lions], they have some All-Pro caliber-type players. Injuries played a factor for them this year, but they seem to be pretty healthy now, especially on defense. We have to approach this week like we approach every week. We have to prepare hard, and prepare like every team is unbeatable."

Brady called it a critical week for the Patriots during his weekly press conference yesterday.

Brady said you want to be a team that continues to elevate its game down the stretch and not allow opponents -- no matter how good or bad -- to level your play. Even Belichick admitted yesterday the Lions are a team that the Pats aren't too familiar with.

Sure, Detroit has only two wins and New England is coming off a huge victory over Chicago, but the Patriots are not about to take any team lightly this late in the season.

"This is going to be a challenge for us," Brady said. "We have to have our best week of practice. We have to have a great week of execution, and ultimately go out there on Sunday and try to play our best game and eliminate the things that have really been holding our offense back."

As usual, Belichick pointed out all of the positive aspects of the team's upcoming opponent, saying Lions quarterback Jon Kitna has the ability to be very dangerous. Plus, wide receiver Roy Williams is second in the league with 60 receptions for 993 yards. The New England defense also must concentrate on stopping running back Kevin Jones, who has had a good season.

"We're a 2-9 ball club, we don't think we're a 2-9 ball club, but in reality that's what we are," said Williams. "We lost a lot of close games that could have gone either way . . . We have five games remaining, so hopefully we're not 2-14."

The Lions have lost six of their last nine games by seven points or less. In fact, Detroit was leading the Miami Dolphins, 10-0, on Thanksgiving Day but ended up losing, 27-10.

"They are a very talented team," said Belichick. "I can see them getting better a little more each week as they get more comfortable with their system. They are really just one or two players away from winning a lot more games."

The Lions will need more than just a handful of solid players, and more than 10 points, if they are to have a chance for a victory on Sunday at Gillette.

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340