Lions-Buccaneers Key Matchup: Aidan Hutchinson vs. Luke Goedeke
If you've watched even a few minutes of Lions football this season, you'll surely have noticed that Aidan Hutchinson has made his presence known more often than not.
The second-year EDGE has picked up right where he left off a season ago, continuing to wreak havoc against opposing passers.
Through five weeks this season, Hutchinson is the fifth-highest graded EDGE defender in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus (91.4).
Also, since the Lions' disappointing loss to the Seahawks in Week 2, the Michigan product has taken his game to another level.
In the aforementioned stretch of time (spanning three weeks), Hutchinson has accumulated 4.5 sacks, five total quarterback hits and four tackles for loss. He's also racked up three passes defensed, an impressive one-handed interception, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
For his efforts the last three games, he has earned a PFF grade of 93.7, the highest grade among all EDGE rushers in the span of time.
He's been an absolute menace for the opposition to deal with so far in 2023, and the same should be true when he goes up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. For the majority of the game, expect the 2022 No. 2 overall pick to go head-to-head with Tampa Bay offensive tackle Luke Goedeke.
Goedeke, a product of Central Michigan University, has done a very commendable job since transitioning from left guard to right tackle – his position at CMU - at the start of this season.
In fact, he's allowed just six total pressures and one sack on the season, which came in Week 1 against Vikings Pro Bowl pass-rusher Danielle Hunter. The second-year lineman has also stymied some notable pass-rushing specialists, including the Eagles' dynamic duo of Haason Reddick and Nolan Smith. For Goedeke's efforts, he's earned a respectable pass-blocking grade of 72.7 from PFF.
Earlier this week, Goedeke was highly complimentary of Hutchinson’s game.
“It’s definitely his athleticism, speed. He’s got a great motor,” Goedeke said of the Lions' pass-rushing phenom. “I think that’s what kind of sets him apart, too.”
According to PFF, Hutchinson leads the NFL with 35 pressures through five weeks. Despite all of Hutchinson's noted success this season (and since joining the professional ranks), Goedeke feels like he's faced better competition at the EDGE position.
“I mean, there’s elite pass-rushers all over this league,” Goedeke told Tampa Bay reporters. “I’ve already faced Danielle Hunter, and I would put him above Aidan Hutchinson, to be honest, and (New Orleans Saints EDGE) Cam Jordan.”
Goedeke later clarified that he meant "no disrespect" by those comments. But, he chose not to walk them back, either.
He meant what he said, and now it's just extra fuel for the already easily motivated and relentless Hutchinson.
The game-changing defender has tallied at least one sack in each of his last three contests, and I expect him to continue the streak Sunday against Tampa Bay.
I'm predicting that Hutchinson will win his one-on-one battle with Goedeke and finish the Week 6 tilt with 1.5 sacks, three total QB hits and two tackles for loss.
