Steve Palazzolo of The 33rd Team believes Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was the best player in the NFL before his season ended prematurely.
It’s hard to really put into words just how dominant Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was to start the 2024 season. Through the five weeks prior to his regular season ending early during a blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys , Hutchinson was on a torrid pace for an edge rusher.
Per Pro Football Reference, the third-year defensive end logged 7.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, nine knockdowns, and 27 total pressures. His performance had a lot of people thinking Hutchinson had a great shot at a Defensive Player of the Year, and others like Steve Palazzolo of The 33rd Team thought Hutchinson was the best player in all of the NFL.
“It’s Aidan Hutchinson, who is one pressure off the NFL lead, despite missing the last two games, and missing the half game in which he got hurt, and also having a bye (week),” Palazzolo during a podcast.
You can catch the entire segment from Palazzolo on Hutchinson below.
Best player in the NFL this season?
Aidan Hutchinson@StevePalazzolo_ explains why, even with his injury ⬇️https://t.co/isX3tAF91q pic.twitter.com/Hto3gDLaX8
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 2, 2024
And now, onto the rest of today’s notes:
- If anyone wants to give me a Meijer tote bag full of Uncrustables, I would be your friend forever.
Surprise! pic.twitter.com/46uh3tScac
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 2, 2024
- Next up in Dave Birkett’s interview series, the best punter in the NFL, Jack Fox.
5 Questions with Lions P Jack Fox this week, on his Halloween costume, his dream golf foursome and his amazing season https://t.co/C9W18tPQZv via @freep
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) November 2, 2024
- Greg Cosell of NFL Matchup on ESPN breaks down how Green Bay’s late rotations on defense have been successful so far this season.
#OnePride vs. #GoPackGo ! Big NFC North matchup between the Lions and Packers. @GregCosell breaks down the disguises and late rotations by Green Bay being displayed at a high level.@DariusJButler | @GregCosell pic.twitter.com/KyFfHkGRED
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) November 2, 2024
- Something to keep an eye on as we get deeper into the College Football calendar.
8 NFL teams in attendance at Texas A&M/South Carolina:
BUF, DET, GB, MIN, NO, NYG, SF, WAS
GM on-hand: Beane (BUF)
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 2, 2024
- Check out Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated’s Week 9 Watchability Index and find out why he thinks this week’s Lions/Packers matchup is one of the best so far this season.
- Hopefully this bodes well for Goff going into Week 9’s showdown at Lambeau Field.
Every QB with a positive double-digit EPA per Dropback on the road this season ️
Jared Goff: +0.40
Jayden Daniels: +0.34
Lamar Jackson: +0.30
Kirk Cousins: +0.26
Brock Purdy: +0.18
Sam Darnold: +0.15
Baker Mayfield: +0.11
Derek Carr: +0.10https://t.co/WU9eMe6Gqk pic.twitter.com/O2WSHW4o9G— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 2, 2024