Lions' Matthew Stafford defends rookie D'Andre Swift after dropping game-winning TD: 'Trust that kid'

The Detroit Lions watched their comeback attempt against the Chicago Bears literally slip through the hands of D'Andre Swift, as the running back dropped what would have been the go-ahead touchdown with 11 seconds left in the game. 

It's a tough debut for the rookie runner but Matthew Stafford downplayed the mistake, saying that he won't hesitate to throw it to Swift as the team heads into Week 2.

"I'm throwing it to him a hundred times out of a hundred," Stafford said. "Trust that kid. He'll make a play."

That show of support surely means a lot to Swift, who only racked up 23 yards of total offense in his first NFL game (though he did have a rushing touchdown). The Lions have high expectations for Swift after taking him in the second round, hoping that he can help the team fight for a playoff spot in the highly competitive NFC North.

Stafford wasn't the only Lion to voice his belief in Swift's ability to bounce back, as coach Matt Patricia and running back Adrian Peterson both talked to the rookie after the game to tell him not to dwell on the drop.

"I just pulled him to the side and told him, 'Hey, it’s about how you respond to this. Don’t let this get you down,'" Peterson said.

Swift will try to get his NFL career off to a better start in Week 2, with the Lions set to head to Green Bay to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.