'We Should've Won!' Hutchinson Confident in Rematch vs. Cowboys

That doesn’t scare Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

“I think this is only going to motivate us,” Hutchinson said. “Especially as we move into the playoffs and we advance and we play Dallas again at their place. I just feel like there’s so much confidence knowing that we should have won that game.”

There’s a reason Week 17’s action came down to the wire – these two teams are incredibly even-matched. Unfortunately, when that happens, the fingerprints of officials can get left on the game.

Both teams finished the contest within 40 yards of each other. The Lions won the time-of-possession battle by just over a minute, tied the Cowboys in turnovers, took one more penalty (yeah, that one), and had four more first downs. Of course, the game came down to just a single point.

“It’s like a destiny thing, though,” Hutchinson continued. “I feel like it’s written in the stars.”

Hutchinson was great in the losing effort, finding five tackles, four for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble. He was a game-wrecker and a problem for the Cowboys offensive line.

If Hutchinson’s correct, the two teams will meet again in the Divisional Round. Of course, winning in the first round is a step that cannot be overlooked.

With a win on Sunday, Dallas will play host to (most likely) the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, or Seattle Seahawks. The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings both technically have a shot, but would need quite a bit of help.

Detroit, meanwhile will either host the Rams – in a much more cosmically intertwined affair – or the rival Packers.

Until they (potentially) meet again, the onus is on Dallas to clinch the second seed it has seemingly been handed and take advantage of home-field advantage in the playoffs.