Notes: Matthew Stafford shoulders blame in loss, ‘I can’t turn the ball over’

The emotional rollercoaster that is Detroit Lions fandom continues Monday coming off a blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

For many in the Lions community, the hope left for turning the season has fallen to minimal levels. When asked what led to the ugly 41-21 loss, Matthew Stafford said the team as a whole didn’t execute well enough, himself included.

“If I play like that, it’s going to be tough for us to win,” he said. “I’m sure that there’s a lot of guys in our locker room looking at themselves in the mirror saying, if I play like that it’s going to be tough for us to win. So if you guys want to put it on somebody, put it on me. I can’t turn the ball over twice and we’ve got to get the ball in the end zone more>”

By that, Stafford means a third-quarter strip sack that led to a Colts touchdown. Then, when the Lions—trailing 28-14—really needed to kick it into gear to have any hope of pulling off a win, Stafford threw a costly pick six. Detroit would fail to climb out of that hole.

“It’s frustrating to lose,” Stafford said. “We put a bunch of work into it, and when it doesn't go the way you want it to go, it’s not fun. This one’s no different. But at the same time we gotta learn from it, you know, we’ll look at the tape. We’ll figure out where we can be better, and we’ve got a new opponent next week.”

The Lions face the Minnesota Vikings this upcoming Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• Oof, the headline says it all: “Detroit Lions revealed they are nothing but frauds. Again.” Detroit Free Press’ Jeff Seidel elaborates.

• At least one good to come out of Sunday — a career milestone for Marvin Hall Jr.

• “Looking for a wild ride? Look no further than a weekly commute on the Lions’ emotional roller-coaster.” Facts. Hear what else the Around the NFL staff has to say about Sunday’s outcome.

• Logan Lamorandier for Sports Illustrated’s All Lions identifies three trade needs for the Lions as the deadline approaches.

• Just a day ahead of the election, the Freep’s Dave Birkett explains how Oday Aboushi sparked the Lions’ voting initiative.

• Carlos Monarrez writes that he believes Matthew Stafford deserves most of the blame for the Lions’ loss.