MINNEAPOLIS — Quarterback Matthew Stafford got smacked around good in Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but he impressed his teammates and coaches with his ability to hang in and make the best of the situation.

“You can’t ask for nothing more from somebody who is getting beat up, he’s getting hit, he might have made a couple mistakes but he’s going back out there, giving it all 100 percent, running down the field,’’ linebacker Julian Peterson said. “Most quarterbacks would have run out of bounds, he’s still trying to fight for extra yards. That’s showing the character and toughness that we drafted him for. That’s the reason he is the No. 1 pick. He’s going to be great we just have to do  a little more to help him out.’’

 Peterson said Stafford’s play fires up the defense and inspires the whole team. “I’ve been with some quarterbacks who wouldn’t do things like that, so it’s good to see from him,’’ Peterson said.
— PAULA PASCHE