Pat Elflein could face a familiar foe Sunday at Detroit, where the Vikings left guard will have an ample measuring stick regardless of whom he blocks from a talented Lions defensive front. But if it’s Lions defensive end Trey Flowers, Elflein will have a lot to prove since the last time they faced off.
Flowers was a Patriots defensive end then, and Elflein was near the end of his run as Vikings center as quarterback Kirk Cousins was flustered and ineffective in a 24-10 loss last December. One Patriots attack plan had coach Bill Belichick move Flowers directly over Elflein, which led to one sack.