The Detroit Lions went into Baltimore and did something few teams have ever done: they made Lamar Jackson look human. The defense racked up seven sacks, tying a career high against the former MVP, and it all started with discipline up front.
“At first we were running a couple of games a little too many games… and he was kind of cutting up those games a little bit,” Hutchinson explained. “I think we just kind of went into, ‘yo, let’s just rush straight, let’s get after it, and let’s go win.’ And that’s what we did.”
It was a blueprint for how to corral one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers, simplify the approach, rush straight ahead, and trust the coverage behind you.
Coverage Meets Pressure
Hutchinson was quick to point out that the Lions’ defensive success wasn’t just about him or the pass rush. It was about the entire defense playing in sync.
“Big shout out for the coverage. That’s what happens when good coverage marries good rush, you get sacks, and that’s the name of the game.”
What started slow turned into a second-half storm. “We didn’t even start off that hot with the sacks,” Hutchinson admitted. “It’s something that just kept picking up steam as we went.”
By the end of the night, Baltimore’s offensive line looked overwhelmed, and Jackson had nowhere to go.
The Punch That Changed the Game
The highlight moment came late in the game, when Hutchinson ripped the ball out of Derrick Henry’s hands, something few defenders can claim to have done.
“I saw that ball cradling a little bit and I put my head down and just threw the biggest hook I could,” Hutchinson said with a grin. “At that moment, I knew that ball came out. That was a fun moment… I’ve never actually done that before.”
The punch-out not only killed a Ravens drive but also energized the Lions’ sideline. One play later, Hutchinson sacked Jackson, putting the exclamation mark on his dominant night.
A Statement Win, But More Work Ahead
For Hutchinson, the win wasn’t just about proving doubters wrong after a shaky Week 1, it was about showing the Lions can hang with anyone.
“It’s always good to win those big competitive games,” he said. “I knew we were a good team… people were doubting us after that Green Bay game, but we brought it today and it paid off.”
And while he celebrated teammates like Al-Quadin Muhammad for his two-and-a-half sacks and praised the collective defensive effort, Hutchinson made it clear: this is just the beginning.
“We’re two and one now, and we got to stack them,” he said.
The Bottom Line
Aidan Hutchinson led a defense that didn’t just beat Lamar Jackson, it broke him. From seven sacks to a critical forced fumble, the Lions’ front seven announced themselves as one of the league’s most dangerous units.
And if Hutchinson’s postgame words are any indication, they’re only just heating up.