Key Matchup: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson vs. Chiefs' OTs
There's no tougher test than what the Lions have ahead of themselves in their Week 1 matchup: Facing off against Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
But, these Lions – a far cry from your father's and grandfather's Lions – could be up for the task. If they are, they'll need a big-time performance from their star players, including second-year EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson will need to be a constant presence in the Chiefs' backfield and in the face of Mahomes, and he has a good chance of achieving that Thursday night. The reason why: Kansas City enters the 2023 season with two new offensive tackles (Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith).
Taylor and Smith each recorded Pro Football Focus grades south of 60.0 a season ago (overall grades of 58.7 and 58.1, respectively). And, it could spell trouble for the two of them going up against the relentless Hutchinson.
Hutchinson is coming off a superb rookie campaign. It was a season in which the Michigan product recorded 9.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits, as well as amassed 52 total tackles, including nine for loss.
The 2022 No. 2 overall pick also compiled three interceptions, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries, becoming the first rookie in NFL history to produce a season with at least 7.5 sacks, three picks and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Hutchinson's impressive stat line helped him earn a runner-up finish for the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
It was quite the start to the highly-touted EDGE defender's NFL career. And, to no surprise, he's ultra confident in his abilities heading into his second campaign as a pro.
"My confidence right now is really through the roof,” Hutchinson told reporters during OTAs this past spring. “Me personally, I feel like I’m on a completely different level. And, I mean, instinctually, my explosiveness. Everywhere on the board, I feel like I’ve taken myself to the next level.”
Just like a season ago, Hutchinson will be key to the Lions generating a consistent pass rush in 2023. When he's on his "A" game, Detroit is much better equipped to compete against the NFL's best (i.e. Mahomes and the Chiefs).
Mahomes, a two-time NFL and Super Bowl MVP, is well aware of the high-level impact that Hutchinson can have on a game.
He didn't hesitate to heap praise upon the second-year pro during a recent media session.
"He’s a great football player. There’s a reason he was drafted where he was drafted and a reason he had success in college where he did,” Mahomes said of Hutchinson. “He’s a great football player, has the physical talent but also a smart football player. He had three interceptions last year, so you know he can do a little bit of everything. We’ll have to account for him every snap, because you know, he’s a game-changer type of player and we can’t let him affect the game on some of those big moments.”
Detroit has never had an issue with Hutchinson being motivated to take on an opponent. He's a high-motor player who has embraced every challenge he's faced so far in his NFL career.
And, he's amped to face off against Mahomes and the Chiefs Thursday night.
"When I saw we opened up with KC at KC, life doesn't get much better than that," Hutchinson told Rich Eisen on the "Rich Eisen Show" earlier this summer. "I'm so excited for the challenge ahead. I think it's going to be a hell of a game, and man, I've had my eyes set on this game since the moment they released it. We'll be ready, we'll be ready to go."
I believe the second-year defender is truly ready for the challenge of battling against Kansas City's high-powered offense. I'm predicting a solid performance from the sack artist, and I believe he'll have his way with both Taylor and Smith.
Subsequently, I think "Hutch" will wreak havoc against Mahomes all night long, and register at least one sack of the All-Pro passer in the season-opening contest.
