Lions QB Matthew Stafford looks to bounce back against Panthers

11/16/2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) sits on the bench near the end of the Lions' 37-13 loss to the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) sits on the bench near the end of the Lions' 37-13 loss to the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has blamed the wind for throwing a season-high four interceptions at Chicago.

That won't be an excuse for another month.

The Lions will host Carolina on Sunday indoors at Ford Field and their next game outdoors is Dec. 18 at Oakland.

Detroit needs Stafford to bounce back against the Panthers for a seventh win to keep its favorable position in the playoff picture.

When Stafford has had a 100-plus QB rating this season, the Lions are 5-0, and they're 1-3 when he doesn't.

Stafford has been playing with a fractured right index finger since the first half of Detroit's win Oct. 30 against Denver. He wore gloves against the Bears and in Wednesday's practice to help him get a better grip on the ball.