The Detroit Lions might be onto something. The beleaguered Lions are on the doorstep of a rare NFL playoff berth for the franchise. After a 1-6 start, the Lions are now 8-8. They will go into Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers with a win-and-in scenario possible if they get some help. And speaking of help, one big reason for the playoff push has been from two young contributors.
Pass-rushers Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston have been phenomenal on their run. Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is living up to pre-draft expectations for Detroit. Houston, meanwhile, was a sixth-round pick who missed much of the season due to injury. But lately, the tenacious Houston has really gotten after it on the field. And it’s showing on the stat sheet.
Per NFL345, “Lions rookies Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston are the 1st pair of rookie teammates each with 7+ sacks since 1982. Hutchinson is the 1st rookie with 7+ sacks & 3+ INTs in a season since 1982. Houston is the 3rd player with 7 sacks in his 1st 6 career games since 1982.”
.@Lions rookies Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston are the 1st pair of rookie teammates each with 7+ sacks since 1982.
Hutchinson is the 1st rookie with 7+ sacks & 3+ INTs in a season since 1982.
Houston is the 3rd player with 7 sacks in his 1st 6 career games since 1982.
— NFL345 (@NFL345) January 1, 2023
Reactions poured in all afternoon while Houston and Hutchinson dominated. Some even came in the form of more statistics: The NFL on CBS account pointed out that Houston is on a potential Hall-of-Fame pace.
Most sacks over first 6 career games since 2010
James Houston 6.0
Von Miller 6.0 pic.twitter.com/jGfo0lQyQQ— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 1, 2023
Popular account WorldofIsaac summed it up well, saying, “So if James Houston plays the whole season he wins Rookie of the Year lol.”
So if James Houston plays the whole season he wins Rookie of the year lol
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) January 1, 2023
Lions reporter Benjamin Raven tweeted, “James Houston didn’t play until Week 11 and the dude has a legit chance to hit double-digit sacks at this rate as a rookie. Wild stuff.” Indeed it is!
James Houston didn't play until Week 11 and the dude has a legit chance to hit double-digit sacks at this rate as a rookie. Wild stuff.
— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) January 1, 2023
ESPN reporter Field Yates proclaimed, “What a freaking player” in response to Hutchinson’s gaudy stats.
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson this season:
7.5 sacks: Most amongst all NFL rookies
3 INT: Tied for most amongst all LB/DL in the entire league
What a freaking player.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 1, 2023
Michigan Wolverines writer Scott Bell pointed out another eye-popping number: Aidan has more interceptions than first-round cornerback Sauce Gardner!
Future NFL Rookie Of The Year Aidan Hutchinson now has more interceptions (3) than Sauce Gardner and more sacks (7.5) than any other rookie in the league.
It's pretty hard to be considered a draft steal when you go No. 2 overall. But here we are.
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) January 1, 2023
[NFL345]
