The Detroit Lions are badly in need of a win after an upset loss to the Minnesota Vikings pushed the franchise behind in a race for the NFC's top seed. The schedule offers a great chance to put the season back on track with the Washington Commanders hosting the Lions without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is out for an unknown amount of time due to an elbow injury. This puts backup Marcus Mariota into the starting lineup, helping set up star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson for what should be a huge game.
Hutchinson already has 7.0 sacks on the season and has been a problem for even the most consistent offensive lines. The Commanders are unquestionably not included under this descriptor when you look at the pressures and sacks given up this season, no matter which quarterback has been under center. This is illustrated by a tweet from a Commanders fan that points out the 12 sacks and 66 pressures given up by the offensive line that the Lions will be facing this week.
Between Mariota and Daniels, Washington QBs have been pressured on 39% of their dropbacks, which is the 13th highest rate in the league. Furthering this point, Detroit has the sixth-highest pressure rate at 25.4%, indicating how often Dan Campbell's defensive front has gotten to the quarterback this season.
Lions Have the Perfect Matchup for Aidan Hutchinson to Enjoy His Best Game of the 2025 Season
Last week's pressure rates for the Lions and Commanders only further set up what a great week this could be for Hutchinson. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was pressured at 43.8% last week, while Daniels was pressured on the highest percentage of dropbacks vs. Seattle (57.1%). Numbers that point to what an opportunity this will be for Hutchinson, and how excited the edge rusher should be for the Week 10 matchup.
It seems likely that the Lions will have Hutchinson chasing a matchup with tackle Josh Conerly Jr., who has struggled mightily this season. In pass protection, Conerly has given up 6 sacks and 31 pressures on the season, pointing to what a dumpster fire it has been at the position for Washington.
Hutchinson is already coming off a solid performance against the Vikings, getting to McCarthy and getting his 7th sack of the season. Looking at the matchup, it is easy to envision Hutchinson getting to Mariota 2-3 times at least if the Lions allow him to hunt Conerly.
Add in the fact that Mariota is often noted for his lack of pocket awareness, and everything about this game should excite Detroit's pass rush. The Lions star could easily finish this game with double-digit sacks and has helped give the Lions the get right game they so clearly need.
After taking a surprise loss against a division rival, Detroit badly needs this game, and it would be great to see Hutchinson and the defensive front set the team up to do just that against a reeling Commanders team that simply isn't anywhere close to the unit they were a season ago.
Giving Hutchinson a chance to remind both Lions fans and the rest of the league of his ceiling and just how impactful the star defender can be.