MINNEAPOLIS — Maybe Matthew Stafford should have stayed home this week.
Stafford completed 16 straight passes at one point in the first half, but threw two costly interceptions in the second half then left to be evaluate a brain injury as the Detroit Lions lost their ninth straight NFC North game, 34-20, to the Minnesota Vikings.
Stafford did not practice all week after he had close contact with a person infected with COVID-19. He took part in meetings and walk-throughs virtually, was cleared to play Sunday morning, and showed few signs of rust in the first 30 minutes despite the Lions defense digging themselves a big hole.