Lions may quietly have the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL

The most welcome surprise this season has been the rise of Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad, whose playing time has ramped up after the injury to Marcus Davenport. Muhammad is right behind Hutchinson with 3.5 sacks of his own. Both Hutchinson and Muhammad are top ten in the league in sacks -- the only pair of teammates in the top ten.

Sacks are just one stat among many, but their performance has also translated to high marks from Pro Football Focus. On Sunday, Hutchinson (92.6) and Muhammad (86.2) posted two of the three highest grades across the Lions' offense and defense. For the league as a whole, Hutchinson's defensive grade (92.3) is second among all Edge defenders.

Muhammad (88.3) is tenth. As far as overall grades go, Hutchinson (90.3) is fourth among Edge defenders while Muhammad (83.0) is 14th.

If Hutchinson and Muhammad can remain healthy, the Lions may have Pro Bowl players on both ends of the defensive line. Of course, if Lions fans see their top wish come true, neither will participate in the Pro Bowl because they'll be busy with a far more important game.

Lions pass rush tops the Packers in a key category

Lions fans bemoaned the Green Bay Packers' acquisition of Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys. Aside from the financials of it all, he was everything fans wanted in a pass-rushing partner for Hutchinson.

Currently, Parsons has 2.5 sacks on the season. That doesn't mean he's having a bad season. In fact, Parsons (92.7) has the highest defensive grade among Edge defenders on PFF, and his overall grade (90.1) is fifth at the position. Parsons also made a game-saving sack on quarterback Dak Prescott in overtime of their 40-40 tie on Sunday Night Football.

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Parsons has done a great job transforming the Packers' pass rush into one of the league's best, but the Lions are right there with them through Week 4. According to PFF, as shared by A to Z Sports' Mike Payton, the Lions have 15 sacks on the season to the Packers' 12. This is despite the Packers accounting for one more pressure than the Lions.

Converting pressures into sacks is becoming a strength for the Lions' defense, which is music to the ears of fans. Especially after watching the Lions' offensive line hold Myles Garrett and the Browns' pass rush to zero sacks on Sunday.

Yes, the season is still young, and the Lions have had fortunate match-ups against depleted opposing offensive lines. Even so, Hutchinson and Muhammad are performing at an elite level, and it's turning one of the team's biggest defensive weaknesses into its biggest strength.