Stafford on turnovers: ‘There’s no excuse for those’

Matthew Stafford has not played anywhere near the level he did back in 2019.

He has turned the ball over at a much higher rate than last season, and his mistakes have come in many different varieties.

Opposing defenses have done a good job of not allowing Stafford and the offense to execute on many deep throws.

As a result, Stafford is holding onto the football far too long, allowing opposing defenses to rack up sack totals.

The absence of star wideout Kenny Golladay has not helped an offense looking to establish more consistency weekly.

Stafford’s turnovers, fumbles, and interceptions have been costly in Detroit’s five losses on the 2020 season.

“It comes down to execution. Throwing and catching, all of it. We’re still trying to push the ball down the field. Teams are doing a nice job of trying to keep it in front of them. I’m trying to take what the defense has given me. And as far as the turnovers go, there’s no excuse for those. Just can’t have them. I think four in the last two weeks, that is too many. I’m going to do everything I can to try to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Stafford said during his media session

Wednesday.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell did not want to point the blame squarely on Stafford’s shoulders — instead choosing to explore the issues of the offensive as a whole.

“The one thing that we were harping on this week from last week is the turnovers over the last couple of weeks, you know, and continuing to make good decisions.

“Obviously, we’re getting played a little bit different at times. There’s a myriad of things that we can sit here and talk about. I wouldn’t place it all at the feet of Matthew,” Bevell said Tuesday. “Offense is a thing where you have to have 11 guys working together as one. It all builds together — whether it’s protections, whether it’s route running, all of it is together, and we’re all in it together getting them in the right situations. Guys taking care of all their business up front, guys doing a great job on the outside. So it all works together and we’re all not doing a good enough job right now.”