In his second season with the Detroit Lions, Aidan Hutchinson reached new heights in his playing.
Throughout the whole season, Hutchinson was a pressure-creating machine, putting on a spectacular display to start the postseason. Including the regular season and playoffs, the former Michigan standout leads all defensive players with 110 pressures, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ seventh-best edge defender during that time.
Notably, he became the first player ever to record three consecutive games with at least five quarterback hits since the numbers were first kept track of in 2006. Hutchinson is ranked as PFF’s top edge defender after recording seven sacks, fifteen quarterback hits, and twenty-three pressures in these three games
The sacks arrived in bunches throughout the last three weeks, even though it took a minute for them to do so. Hutchinson’s output has reached a stage where it’s difficult to see it slowing down at this time.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn stated, “And it was just a matter of time until those things turn around for him and they end up being sacks.” We frequently discuss that. I believe that occasionally we become so engrossed in that on the outside that we fail to notice how hard the player is practicing, how well he is doing, and what he is doing for the men around him.
“He just so happens to be fortunate that those are now becoming sacks, as that is what he desires.” All of us want that. However, the pressures are also a big assistance. We want to keep hitting the quarterback since it’s something we emphasize every week. We’ve done so quite a bit over the past two weeks.
Over the course of the last three weeks, Alim McNeill has made progress in reestablishing his position in the defensive line. Due to a sprained knee, McNeill was placed on injured reserve for a month. Aside from Hutchinson, he was the only Lions defender who consistently applied pressure throughout the season. When he was injured, opponents found it simpler to neutralize the team’s best pass-rushing option.
Yes, it’s nice to have Alim there. He’s come a long way this year,” Hutchinson remarked. “What he’s accomplished for our D-line and us. For any d-end, having that midway push is incredibly beneficial.
“I believe that I’m still learning a lot and changing every week. I believe I’ve just come to terms with who I am. It’s patience, I believe. This is the right moment. All that matters is the timing, nothing else.
Under Glenn, McNeill has also had an amazing season. According to PFF, the third-year interior defender is ranked sixth among interior defenders, postseason included.
Furthermore, in his two games back in action, McNeill has maintained his normal appearance despite managing a heavy workload. Last week, he recorded three pressures in 43 snaps, and for the most part of the day, he was instrumental in stifling LA’s rushing attack. And after all the rust wears off, Glenn and the Lions believe he still has more in him.
Glenn told MLive, “Anytime you have both of those guys in the game because they are both pretty dominate players.” “And the thing is, Mac was actually on fire before he sustained his injury, so you have to help him get back on track now that he’s recovered.
