Allen Park — If the Detroit Lions are holding out hope of hiring New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as the franchise’s next head coach, the team will be waiting at least another eight days.
That’s because the Patriots destroyed the Tennessee Titans Saturday night, 35-14, continuing a quest to defend their Super Bowl championship. The Patriots will play the Pittsburgh Steelers or Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship next Sunday.
According to NFL rules, no team can hire Patricia until the Patriots have been eliminated from the playoffs or won the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Feb.