After making the NFC Championship game last season, Aidan Hutchinson and the Detroit Lions are confident at an all-time high.
Forever, the Lions were bottom dwellers of the league, but heading into 2024, many believe the Lions could compete for a Super Bowl. A team’s belief is the first step in making that happen, something that appears to be the case in Detriot.
“I think we’re in a great spot right now. We got everything ahead of us. I think confidence is at an all-time high,” Hutchinson said.
It’s good news for Lions fans to hear that the team has confidence because the NFC Championship could have given the team a lot of momentum heading into this season.
At halftime, the Lions were up 24-7, and it looked like they might cruise into the Super Bowl. In the second half, the defense was awful, and they ended up losing 34-31.
Last month, Hutchinson discussed how he believes the team will be able to bounce back from the disappointing loss.
“It sucked losing that game. But I feel like — win or lose that game — and let’s say we go on to the Super Bowl, it’s always Super Bowl or bust next year,” says Hutchinson during an interview. “That’s always the expectation.”
Last season, Hutchinson finished with 11.5 sacks, and his success was a big reason why the Lions as a team were able to find so much success, finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record overall.
Hutchinson is quickly becoming one of the better defenders in the NFL, but the offense of the Lions shouldn’t be overlooked.
Last season, quarterback Jared Goff threw for 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He has playmakers all over the field, including Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta.
It’s good to know that the team has confidence heading into the year, but that needs to translate onto the football field. If the Detroit Lions were to lose a couple of the early season games, what happened in the NFC Championship game could creep in.
Players like Aidan Hutchinson and coach Dan Campbell need to ensure the team is focused so that doesn’t happen. After being bottom dwellers for so long, the Lions can prove they are a top-tier NFL team. That can be done, but one NFC Championship game appearance isn’t going to be enough to change most fans’ minds.
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