FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In consecutive victories, the New England Patriots faced two of the highest-scoring offenses in the NFL — the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, aka Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, who score points in bunches.

The Patriots (8-2) needed their defense to limit the damage, allowing their offense to keep up.

That approach was executed to perfection as Bill Belichick’s team took care of business in a couple of impressive blowouts.

This week, though, the Patriots face a far different challenge against the Lions (7-2). Detroit arrives in Foxborough looking to pull off the slight road upset thanks in large part to a dominant defense.

Huge tackle Ndamukong Suh leads a Detroit defense that is tops in the NFL in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and is second in third-down defense.

Whereas New England’s offensive line dominated the Colts’ defensive front to the tune of a season-high 246 rushing yards in Indianapolis and did not allow a sack, the much improved unit is unlikely to find the same success this week against the Lions.

“It’s a great group and they’ve really come together here,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said of an offensive line that was much criticized while working through early-season personnel turnover and struggles. “I’ve got so much respect for those guys and appreciate them so much for what they do for our team. It’s such a selfless position to play. You really don’t get mentioned unless something goes wrong. It’s great for those guys to see, and to be challenged like they were last week and then to run for (nearly) 250 yards, that’s a great accomplishment.

“I just have a lot confidence in what they’re doing, and they set the tone for our team, certainly for our offense. This is one of the biggest challenges they’re going to face this week and one of the best defenses in the NFL. We’ve got to kind of meet force with force and stand up to the challenge and see if we can go out there and make a bunch of good plays.”

The Patriots host the Lions in the midst of a six-game winning streak. New England is preparing for the fourth game in what many thought would be a season-defining and mettle-testing six-game stretch against the Chicago Bears, Broncos, at the Colts, Lions and then at both the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers.

Six games removed from an embarrassing loss in Kansas City on a Monday night, the Patriots are once again in position to take hold of the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC. They are aiming for a fourth consecutive appearance in the AFC title game.

Belichick’s team is rolling, but Brady knows now is when the rubber really meets the road of the long NFL schedule.

“This is a big stretch for us. Things start getting really fun around this time of year,” Brady said, with the knowing tone of a 15-year veteran who has traveled this road many times before. “It starts to feel like football weather out there. I think the toughness really starts to play a part of the team, and we’re going up against a real tough team in and of itself. They’re physically and mentally tough. They’ve been in more close games than any team in the league the last two years. They’re real good, they’re tested, so we’re going to need our guys to show up and really play their best, too.”

A new week. A new, different challenge.

NOTES: Defensive tackle Sealver Siliga was on the Patriots’ indoor practice field Wednesday for the walk-through in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Lions. Siliga was on injured reserve with a designation to return due to a foot injury since Sept. 27. … Among those of note practicing Wednesday were defensive end Chandler Jones (hip) and offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (ankle/finger). … Among those limited in practice were offensive linemen Marcus Cannon (hip) and Ryan Wendell (knee), defensive lineman Dominique Easley (knee) and defensive back Nate Ebner (finger).