MINNEAPOLIS — Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions finally had a comeback fall short, by just a few seconds and even fewer inches last weekend against Atlanta.

The Lions have had no time to lament, of course, with a difficult game looming at division rival Minnesota.

If there were sympathies actually being expressed around this unforgiving league, well, the Vikings would be the last team in line after the way they were swept by the Lions in 2016.

“It’s frustrating, but we’ve just got to stay out of that situation,” said wide receiver Golden Tate, who was stopped in front of the goal line in the 30-26 loss to the Falcons . “Control what we can control, and that’s getting that job done earlier.”

Two of the eight late and successful rallies by the Lions last season came at Minnesota’s expense, outcomes that wound up swinging a wild-card berth Detroit’s way and keeping the Vikings out of the playoffs despite a 5-0 start.

The Lions trailed 16-13 with 23 seconds to play on Nov. 6 at U.S. Bank Stadium before hustling to set up Matt Prater’s overtime-forcing 58-yard field goal.

Stafford found Tate for a 28-yard touchdown to end that game after whiffs in the secondary by Vikings standouts Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith.

Eighteen days later, an interception by Darius Slay at Ford Field set up the winning kick by Prater as time expired at Ford Field.

So when Tate’s touchdown was overturned last weekend by replay review, triggering by obscure rule a 10-second runoff that sealed a victory for the unbeaten reigning NFC champion Falcons, the Vikings could relate to the feeling.

The Vikings (2-1) will have their opportunity for payback on Sunday when they host the Lions (2-1), the first of three consecutive NFC North foes.

Vikings declare Bradford out vs. Lions, turn to Keenum again

EDEN PRAIRIE— Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford has been ruled out of the game again this week because of lingering soreness in his left knee, meaning Case Keenum will make his third straight start.

Bradford hasn’t practiced with the team for a week. After his latest absence from the field on Thursday, coach Mike Zimmer said again that surgery is not needed for Bradford, only rest. Zimmer said he doesn’t think Bradford’s injury will be a long-term concern.

“Day to day,” he said. “I don’t know what day to day is. Just day to day.”

Minnesota (2-1) hosts Detroit (2-1) on Sunday.

Bradford was declared out shortly before kickoff on Sept. 17 at Pittsburgh, then two days before the most recent game against Tampa Bay when he traveled to seek a second medical opinion on the knee.