Hutchinson: 'I Heat Up Late in Season'
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has taken the league lead in pressures with 110, after the Lions' Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Sunday’s win, the first in the playoffs for the Lions since 1992, featured a dominant performance by the EDGE defender. He recorded nine pressures, a career-high mark, and notched two sacks in the 24-23 win.
This tied the franchise record for most sacks by a player in their playoff debut. With two, Hutchinson tied Ndamukong Suh and Ezekiel Ansah.
"I don't know. Like I told you guys, I heat up late in the season," Hutchinson said. "It's playoff time, and I've been waiting for my opportunity in the playoffs and just want to make the most of it, every (opportunity) I get."
Additionally, he drew a key holding penalty on Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein in the fourth quarter. That penalty led to a third-down incompletion and a subsequent punt, and the Lions ended up not giving the ball back to the potent Los Angeles offense.
"That was big, that's big," Hutchinson said after the game. "I'm happy I got a holding call."
Hutchinson has been on a tear as of late, notching seven sacks in his last three games. After recording just two sacks in a 10-game stretch during the regular season, he set off his hot streak with three sacks against Dallas in Week 17.
Since the stats began being tracked in 2006, Hutchinson is the only player to record three consecutive games, including during the postseason, with at least five quarterback hits and two sacks.
Ultimately, his efforts placed him with 11.5 sacks at the conclusion of the regular season, which usurped his rookie season total of 9.5. He also ranks 10th in Pro Football Focus' pass-rush grade with a 91.5 mark.
His pass-rush win rate of 21.9% ranks sixth amongst qualified defenders, and his 26 hurries ranks first.
His recent stretch mirrors that of what he produced at the end of last season. He produced four sacks over the final six games of 2022.
Fans break Ford Field decibel record
The Lions have an opportunity to take another step toward the Super Bowl by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. Sunday at Ford Field.
Having another playoff game at Ford Field allows Lions fans to play a positive role in their team's playoff chase. This support was on full display in the Wild Card round, as the fans set a new noise record at Ford Field.
The fans hit 133.6 decibels in Sunday's game during starting lineup introductions, according to the team. The previous record at Ford Field was 127.6. This level of sound is similar to a jet engine taking off, as well as the siren sound of an ambulance, according to the American Academy of Audiology.
Detroit's fans were fully engaged in Sunday's win, beginning with loud Jared Goff chants prior to kickoff. Additionally, the noise at Ford Field forced the Rams to take two critical second-half timeouts.
Those timeouts were pivotal, as the Lions were able to run the final 4:07 off the game clock by converting two first downs.
