ClutchPoints
The Detroit Lions are in a good position to get back in the playoffs in 2025. Detroit is 5-2 coming out of their bye week and face a fairly winnable game against Minnesota in Week 9. But this game will not be a cake walk just because Detroit is favored to win.
Just like last season, the Lions have already suffered several important injuries on defense. Defensive backs D.J. Reed, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Khalil Dorsey are already on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Terrion Arnold, Kerby Joseph, Rock Ya-Sin, and Avonte Maddox are all banged up but still have a chance to play on Sunday.
The Lions thrived on defense without those players in Week 7, but it feels risky to ask their depleted secondary to hold opponents to nine points week after week.
That may be Detroit’s weakness, but they still have plenty of strengths they can lean on to compensate for their shortcomings. And in an important divisional game, the Lions would be wise to lean on their best players to make tons of big plays.
Which Lions player will be most important in Week 9? And if he plays well, will it be enough to lift the Lions over the Vikings?
Below we will explore Detroit’s X-factor that they need to exploit to get a huge divisional win over Minnesota.
Detroit’s secondary may be an issue, but their defensive line has been playing great in 2025.
Aidan Hutchinson is the best of the bunch, and the Lions rewarded him with a massive contract extension on Wednesday. That should give Hutch plenty of motivation (not that he needs it) to have a big game in Week 9.
Hutchinson is not having as explosive a season as he did in 2024. But make no mistake, he is still one of the best edge rushers in the NFL.
Hutch has six sacks and four forced fumbles through seven games to start the season. It’s not all that different from last year, where he had seven-and-a-half sacks and one forced fumble in just five games.
When Hutchinson has a good game, the Lions almost always come out on top.
In fact, Detroit’s Week 6 loss against Kansas City was the only game this season where Hutchinson had a sack and the Lions did not win.
It may not be as simple as getting Hutchinson a sack to beat the Vikings. But if the Lions can at least abuse the advantage Hutchinson gives them, I think they will be just fine.
That could come in a few different ways.
Hutchinson could simply play out of his mind and make several huge plays that tilt the balance in Detroit’s favor. Or the Lions could use Hutchinson as a decoy, drawing attention towards him while other player collapse the pocket.
Either way, how Detroit chooses to deploy Hutchinson could make all the difference against Minnesota.
**Hutchinson’s job could be easier with J.J....
