A couple games ago, Aidan Hutchinson played bare-handed for the first time in his career -- and immediately snagged a one-handed pick off Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
"Just a change in heart," he said Wednesday. "I feel like I have a little more feel with the gloves off."
He also has a little more zeal. After stepping out of bounds following a pick last season against the Giants, Hutchinson smelled the end zone against the Panthers, about 25 yards away, and tried to make it there before getting blown off his feet by receiver Jonathan Mingo. Hutchinson still had time for a celebratory dance, but the hit to the side of his leg left him limping for several days. That might explain his rather quiet performance in last week's win over the Bucs.
"I couldn't walk for a little while," Hutchinson said. "It was still a little bit in the last game, but I think I’m over it. The leg whips and the hip gets all jacked up, just a lot of pain. But that’s football."
Hutchinson's hot start to his second season with the Lions has helped fuel the team's turnaround on defense. After allowing the most yards in the NFL last season, Detroit has allowed the seventh fewest -- and the fewest against the run -- through six games. Hutchinson leads the team with 4.5 sacks and is third in the NFL, to star pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Micah Parsons, with 38 quarterback pressures. Both he and the Lions are living up to their potential under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
"We’re rolling," Hutchinson said. "This is I think what everyone envisioned when AG came here and took control of those defense. We’re finally doing what’s expected of us. It’s really exciting to see. The fans are loving it, and we’re having fun while we’re doing it."
For Hutchinson, the team success is premium. The Lions are tied for the best record in the NFL at 5-1, which is "huge for us," he said, "because that was the expectation going into the season. And now we're here." But Hutchinson can't help but get a little greedy. After another near-touchdown on his strip-sack of Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder in Week 3, he's determined to get in the end zone once and for all. As he learned against the Panthers, it won't come easy.
"I promised myself after that Giants game that I’m gonna go score a touchdown, because -- I won't swear -- but I did walk out of bounds. So I promised myself I’m going to run into the end zone, and that’s the price you gotta pay if you’re gonna try," Hutchinson said with a laugh. "Head on a swivel next time, but still, I’m getting that damn touchdown."
Who knows: maybe it'll come Sunday against the Ravens, with Hutchinson's defensive coordinator at Michigan on the other sideline. Mike Macdonald was used to watching Hutchinson wreck games in college. Only difference now is, Hutchinson's got hands.
"With the interception in the first game with the gloves off," he said, "I had to keep it rolling."