Hutchinson: Lions Will Do 'Whatever It Takes' to Earn NFC Top Seed

Can the Lions dethrone Eagles?

The Detroit Lions have changed the trajectory of their organization under Dan Campbell. 

In three seasons, the Lions have gone from gritty underdog to one of the favorites in the NFC. They've accumulated momentum throughout the 2023 campaign and currently hold the second best record in the NFC. 

The Lions have enjoyed a plethora of fan support as a result, making Ford Field a difficult place to play for opponents. The team hasn't ignored this and knows holding home field advantage could be a difference maker for a playoff run. 

As a result, second-year edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson has his eyes on surpassing the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and holding the top spot entering the postseason. 

"Of course, that's the goal man. We're not naïve, we do take it one game at a time, but we're in this thing thinking about the big picture," Hutchinson said during an appearance on Pro Football Talk. "That's how you go through, week to week, you have that big picture in mind. One of those small steps to get to that big picture is winning the NFC. That's our goal, man, and we're gonna do whatever it takes to get it." 

The Lions have slipped up twice, including a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In that game, the defense allowed touchdowns on each of their first four possessions. 

That game offered valuable lessons for the team as they continue to pursue lofty goals. 

"If we play them again, I guess they're in the AFC so, we'll see. You never really know. I felt like it was one of those games that got out of hand early, they had a lot of big explosives against us early," Hutchinson said. "That hurts, man. We weren't playing good, complimentary football. There's not a whole lot to say in those situations. You can do all the hooting and hollering you want on that sideline, but if all 11 guys are not on the same page and if all 11 guys aren't executing at a high level, it's hard to win in the league. So it takes everybody." 

'No comment' on Michigan allegations

Hutchinson's alma mater, Michigan, has been under heavy scrutiny during the ongoing investigation centered around a former staffer allegedly stealing signs from opponents. 

The defender was mum on the subject when asked by host Mike Florio if he had any connection to Connor Stalions, the staffer supposedly at the center of the scheme who recently resigned. 

"I mean, there's a lot of talk about the sign stealing but I think there's a lot of things in college football," Hutchinson explained. "You can change, it's hard to read signs in college football when you've got three dudes doing signs. There's a lot of ways to hide signs, you change signs. When I was at Michigan, I didn't get any indication of run or pass or anything like that. So I don't know, man, I have no comment."