The New England Patriots have taken a comfortable 24-6 lead into the halfway stage of their NFL match against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium this evening.

The Lions opened the scoring on their first possession of the match, although they were limited to just three points as Matt Prater converted a field goal from 48 yards.

The Patriots hit back towards the end of the opening quarter and took the lead with the first touchdown of the night as Tom Brady found Tim Wright for a four-yard score.

Detroit reduced the deficit to one point early in the second quarter as Prater split the posts with a 20-yard kick, but the Patriots responded quickly as Danny Amendola returned the kickoff 81 yards before LeGarrette Blount drove into the endzone.

The hosts took a commanding 15-point lead towards the end of the half as Brady and Wright combined for the second time on the night, this time connecting for an eight-yard score.

There was still time for Stephen Gostkowski to make a 35-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Patriots a healthy advantage at the break.