ALLEN PARK -- Golden Tate said he heard the ire on Monday night, the boos and the storming out and even what the Jets fans had to say.

Of course, how could he not.

Lions fans didn't hold back before they bolted for the Ford Field exits in the third quarter of the team's 48-17 loss on Monday Night Football. They booed into the double digits, and then they left the stadium to Jets fans to complete the night with a "J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS" chant.

It was a rough night all-around for the Lions, and some players afterward have denied ever hearing the boos. It's not a very fun fact to acknowledge after they already knew how poorly they performed.

But Tate has been around for a few years now. He likes to be one of the leaders who speaks to the fans, and he said he said he empathized with the fans Monday night.

"Being here for five years and just knowing the history of the Detroit Lions, I definitely understand it," Tate said. "Our fans get so excited each year and have so much confidence in us that we're going to win our division, go to the playoffs, win a playoff game, despite what history says. And we definitely appreciate that."

Tate made a point to blame himself for his part of the 31-point loss, despite a solid stat line of seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. He pointed out his two drops and said he missed a key block as well.

"Anyone who is satisfied with their performance last week definitely needs to look in the mirror," he said.

After playing four years of college at Notre Dame, four seasons in Seattle and then four-plus in Detroit, Tate is used to fans reacting strongly to the results on the field. In all three spots, his teams had had enough recent success for him to understand when they don't accept the kind of failure that came on Monday night.

Tate called it the worst season opener he's ever been a part of. The Lions took Sam Darnold's first pass back for a touchdown and then were outscored 48-10 the rest of the way. They gave up touchdowns via the run, pass, interception return and punt return. The game was over halfway through the third quarter.

Like all Lions players and coaches, Tate promises that they'll make it better. He's happy to get on the road this week against the 49ers, to have a chance to complete a business trip with what he hopes will be a bounce-back victory.

He needs something to wash those boos out of his memory.

"I understand the disappointment," Tate said. "I'd just say, don't give up on us yet."