Throughout the 2023 season, Aidan Hutchinson has consistently been the most productive member of the Lions’ defense.
When he's going and getting into opponents’ backfields with regularity, the defense has been a much more high-functioning unit.
Luckily for Detroit's sake, the second-year EDGE has been on a “heater” down the stretch this season.
In his last four games (counting the Lions’ two postseason contests), the Michigan product has amassed a combined eight sacks, 18 quarterback hits and 31 pressures. And, for his efforts, he's earned a 91.9 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest pass-rush mark among all defenders the last four games.
He's certainly amplified his production as the Lions have needed it, and in doing so, has validated his status as one of the top pass-rushers in the game today.
Going into Detroit's NFC Championship Game matchup with San Francisco Sunday, it's expected that he'll go head-to-head with 49ers right tackle Colton McKivitz.
McKivitz has been a weak link for San Francisco’s offensive line, struggling to protect quarterback Brock Purdy all season.
In 573 pass-blocking snaps this season, the 27-year-old has allowed both the fourth-most total pressures (52) and the fourth-most sacks (nine) among all offensive tackles. Additionally, he's tallied a PFF pass-blocking grade of just 56.7 (accounting for the regular season and playoffs), ranking 61st out of 73 tackles with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps.
Hutchinson, with all that said, has a prime opportunity to feast against the much-maligned offensive lineman.
“He gives incredible effort, and that’s what you want when you draft a guy as high as he got drafted," Lions left tackle Taylor Decker said of Hutchinson this week. "And, on top of that, he’s the epitome of a professional. He goes about everything the right way, he’s always going to be prepared and then he’s just a confident player. Confidence can’t be understated when you’re out there playing against the best athletes on the planet, and he’s confident he can go out there and go toe-to-toe with those guys.”
At this present juncture, I'm going to predict that Hutchinson ends up with a sack, four QB hits and seven total pressures against McKivitz and the 49ers.
More must-reads: