The Detroit Lions were once again able to get off to a fast start this afternoon, jumping out to a 14 point lead on the New Orleans Saints before most of the fans watching from home had time to settle into their couches.
But then, in all-too familiar fashion, they soon found themselves trailing en route to yet another frustrating loss.
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The Saints rattled off 35 unanswered points after Detroit's initial offensive onslaught, and then withstood a comeback effort to outlast the Lions by a 35-29 final score at Ford Field.
“We're not where we want to be after four games,” QB Matthew Stafford said afterwards. “We started the game well again, and then just didn't play well throuought the entirety of the game…just one too many mistakes from us.”
Stafford was then asked what he believes the confidence that he and the rest of his teammates have in embattled head coach Matt Patricia:
“Plenty,” he responded assertively. “We have to make sure we do it on the field…it's a players thing. We need to go out and make the plays when we have the chance to make them.
Though Stafford three touchdown passes and set a personal mark by moving into the 18th spot in all-time touchdown passes thrown in NFL history, his frustration with his own performance was apparent during several points in the afternoon, and he confirmed as much:
“Every time we get it, I want to go score. We weren't able to do that as many times as we needed to. It' an emotional game…I want to make sure I'm out there doing my best,” he said about his visible frustration.
“If you see frustration, it’s probably with myself. I just wish I could have been better today to help us win.”
As far as he's feeling, Stafford said that he's only feeling like himself.
“I feel like myself,” he said. “Obviously, we haven't hit some of the bigger plays down the field that we did last year. By no means am I feeling any differently than I did. We just gotta hit them.”
Stafford finished the afternoon with 17 of 31 passing for 206 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
