Detroit Lions: Jim Caldwell, Players Comment on Week 17 Loss to Packers

Jan 1, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy shakes hands with Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell after the game at Ford Field. Packers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy shakes hands with Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell after the game at Ford Field. Packers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Matthew Stafford

On the mood in the locker room after the loss despite also qualifying for a Wild Card spot: “Yeah, obviously just didn’t play well enough to get the win tonight. Everybody sees that and understands that, but excited about what’s ahead, you know. We got in, we’re one of 12 teams that earned a spot in this thing and it’s a brand new season.”

On if this season feels differently compared to the 2011 and 2014 playoff runs: “Yeah, you’ve just got to reset. It’s a new season. You know, teams at every spot in the playoff ranking have won this thing, so we’ve just got to go in there, look at the film, get a little bit better and get ready for next week.”

On if the team knew about qualifying for the playoffs before tonight’s game started: “I don’t know. I did, but I don’t know what everybody else thought.”

On losing three-consecutive games and how to correct what is going wrong: “Obviously didn’t score enough points to win the game. You know, that’s the way that goes. Last time we lost three-straight (we) got on a nice little run there, so hopefully can get on another little run, just correct the mistakes and go from there.”

On the team’s recent struggles in the second half: “Just got to do a better job of putting points on the board, you know. For one reason or another, we’re not executing as well. We’ve just got to go out there and execute a little bit better.”

On missed opportunities in the game, such as the incompletion to WR Golden Tate: “Yeah, man, that one was close. It was close to being really good. But yeah, gonna hit some, gonna miss some. It’s a good defense, guys are sticky in coverage, but made some plays.”