For the first time this year, I got a huge swing and a miss in my bold prediction. The Detroit Lions never came close to making a turnover on defense, despite the Philadelphia Eagles offense struggling to do much.
Detroit’s defense played tough and did all they could against Philadelphia, but only came away with a single sack on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The defensive line for the Lions couldn’t generate much pressure, and if they want to bounce back, their defensive line is going to have to hit
home. One player who must have his biggest game of the season this week is easily EDGE Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson has been doing well, getting 7.5 sacks so far this season, but he isn’t up to the level he was at last year. His run defense has struggled with him not holding the edge well, and even though he’s used to being double or triple-teamed, he isn’t overcoming those matchups and getting to the quarterback. In just five games last year, Hutchinson had the same number of sacks he has now. He’s due for a big game, and facing up against the New York Giants this week, I believe this can be his chance to emerge and take over.
Bold prediction of the week: Aidan Hutchinson has 3+ sacks
In Week 5 last year, Hutchinson was the leading candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year with his play. He had a monster 4.5-sack performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was unstoppable against anybody who was matched up against him. It came to a halt against the Dallas Cowboys, suffering a broken left leg that cut off what was on pace to be an NFL record year for sacks. The Lions’ defense wasn’t the same without him, as more players went down with injuries before it became too much for the team to overcome.
Hutchinson returned for Week 1 this year, and after having a quiet return against the Green Bay Packers, he had 6.0 sacks in the next five games. His best performance came against the Cleveland Browns as he finished with two sacks, four tackles, and a forced fumble. Since then, Hutchinson has been missing in action. In his last four games, Hutchinson has 1.5 sacks and hasn’t had the type of impact he usually has.
The Lions are struggling to get things going, jumping between winning and losing the past six weeks. Someone needs to give this team a well-needed shot in the arm, and Hutchinson has the best chance to do that this week. Seeing how the Giants have struggled at pass protection this year and how tough a matchup Hutchinson is, I believe he can get at least three sacks Sunday afternoon.
According to PFF, Hutchinson is the top-graded pass rusher on the team with a 92.2 and currently leads the NFL in pressures with 62. Despite having the seventh-highest pass blocking grade at 69.9, the Giants’ stats don’t seem to back that up. They’ve allowed the seventh-most sacks in the NFL with 33, and have had some horrible games this year, struggling to keep whoever is under center upright.
- Week 2 – 3 sacks allowed against the Dallas Cowboys
- Week 4 – 6 sacks allowed against the Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 7 – 4 sacks allowed against the Denver Broncos
- Week 8 – 5 sacks allowed against the Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 10 – 4 sacks allowed against the Chicago Bears
In two of the games above, the Giants allowed one player to record two or more sacks. Facing the Bears, safety and former Lions C.J. Gardner-Johnson had two sacks, and against the Chargers, it was linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu who recorded four. One game that wasn’t mentioned here was just last week against the Green Bay Packers, as the Giants allowed 1.5 sacks from EDGE Micah Parsons, the highest-rated EDGE rusher per PFF at 93.
The Giants’ tackles have been the best at protecting their quarterback, with left tackle Andrew Thomas allowing one sack, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor allowing three. The interior of the offensive line, not so much, allowing six sacks between the three starters. Hutchinson could beat up on Eluemunor, and he isn’t afraid of going up against good competition like Thomas. However, his success will come from the interior.
Detroit has the defensive tackles to generate pressure on the interior, don’t get me wrong, but a few stunts on the inside for Hutchinson could prove to be deadly for them. Now, it depends on who is starting at quarterback for the Giants, as rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is in concussion protocol, and it’s unclear if he will start or Jameis Winston. If Dart starts, Hutchinson will most likely stick to the EDGE on passing downs to keep him contained, but if Winston starts, don’t be shocked if Hutchinson bounces inside and straight towards Winston.
With the Lions’ schedule facing an increase in difficulty soon, playing the Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers, there won’t be many more chances for Hutchinson to have a monster performance. I believe he will help lead the defense this week and help boost the morale around the locker room and the city of Detroit, getting at least three sacks and setting the table for what could be a battle for first place in the NFC North on Thanksgiving afternoon against the Packers.
