Matthew Stafford said his biggest regret from 12 seasons in Detroit wasn't the 2011 playoff loss itself, but that the Lions never returned to the postseason often enough during his tenure.

During his recent appearance on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, Stafford mentioned the Lions' 2011 playoff appearance against the New Orleans Saints. He recalled the challenge of playing against QB Drew Brees and the 28-45 loss.

"I was going up against Drew Brees, right? So that was just like, oh man, what do I have to do to try to win this game?..." said Stafford. "After we lost that game, I just used it as experience to learn. Um, unfortunately, we didn't get back there enough when I was in Detroit."

More than a decade after that playoff defeat, Stafford said the missed opportunities that followed remain one of the biggest disappointments from his time in Detroit, according to the Green Light with Chris Long podcast.

Detroit led 14-10 at halftime before Drew Brees threw for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Feeling the need to match him, Stafford forced plays and was intercepted twice despite finishing with 380 passing yards and four total touchdowns, as per Pride of Detroit.

Stafford did not regret his defeat to the Saints; he regretted that the Lions failed to return to the postseason and to get more opportunities during his prime. The franchise reached the playoffs three times with him at the center.

Stafford later won a Super Bowl with the Rams, while Detroit eventually emerged as an NFC contender with Jared Goff.

Matthew Stafford also reflected on his emotional playoff return to Detroit

When Matthew Stafford returned to Ford Field for the Lions' first home playoff game, he experienced an environment anything but welcoming, which he had never seen during his years with the Lions.

Stafford said in the same podcast with Chris Long that he expected boos after returning to Detroit as the Rams' quarterback, especially for the Lions' first home playoff game in decades.

“When I went back to Detroit, and they hosted their first playoff game in however many years, that was electric,” Stafford said. “I mean, we ran out for pre-pre-warmups, and there wasn’t a seat... People were just booin’ the hell out of me and screaming, but it was a fun place to play.”

"I kind of expected the boos when I went back to Detroit," he added.

In this wild-card playoff game, the Lions won 24-23 against the Rams, with Stafford recording 367 passing yards and two touchdowns. Jared Goff, the QB of the Lions, scored 277 passing yards, 3-22 sacks, and one touchdown.

He drew the line, however, at how some fans treated his family.

"I signed up to play football. Treat me however you want to treat me. Just do not treat my family like you treated my family. And that is the problem I had with it," said Stafford.

While Stafford expected the boos when he returned to Ford Field, he said the treatment of his family remained the one part of the experience he could not accept.

What do you think about Matthew Stafford's time with the Lions? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey