Bold Prediction: Hutchinson Dominates, Sacks Stafford Repeatedly

Aidan Hutchinson makes a big statement in first playoff game.

Detroit Lions EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson thrives in big moments. 

In his second full NFL season, the former No. 2 overall pick again recorded double-digit sacks, finishing the 2023 season with 11.5 sacks in 17 games. 

For Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is making his first trip to Ford Field since requesting to be traded in 2021, it will be a long evening trying to evade Detroit's pass rush. 

Aided by a rabid crowd at Ford Field, Hutchinson should find himself in the Rams' backfield early and often, with several opportunities to sack the 35-year-old, who is not known for being all that mobile. 

This week, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was asked how his young defense adapts to facing a team that uses so much "turbo" motion pre-snap. 

"The communication, first and foremost, and exactly how do you want to handle those turbos. And, everybody handles them different," Glenn said. "And, we actually handle those week by week, because we want to make sure we put ourselves in the best position on how to handle those."

Odds Lions Beat Rams in Playoff Opener

Glenn and his young defense are aware of the talent level the Rams possess on offense. 

"But, what they do a really good job of, they use that to protect the edge of the defense for the most part," said Glenn. "So, any type of edge pressure either slows you down, or they’re going to end up blocking you for the most part. 

"So, we have to be smart in exactly how we operate and how we attack this team. And also, they condense you to get you out – to get out in the perimeter also," Glenn explained further. "So, once they condense you, then they condense, then you condense and then they just create space. In the passing game for deep-overs and in the run game for any type of toss plays. So, we have to understand that, first and foremost, and understand how we’re going to attack that and be good and be effective in what we do.”

With veteran Romeo Okwara also emerging down the stretch and Alim McNeill getting his feet under him in his return last week, Stafford will quickly find himself no longer comfortable playing at Ford Field. 

Detroit's third-year defensive coordinator has often expressed he wants his defense to play violent and aggressive. 

At Ford Field, the Rams veteran signal-caller will find himself intimately close to the new field turf installed last offseason, as the sack totals rise throughout the game.  

Given the stakes are so high, Hutchinson could have a career day, recording the most sacks he ever has had in a 60-minute contest.