ALLEN PARK -- The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line had a clear mission during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field: neutralize Aidan Hutchinson.
In the pass rusher’s return to NFL action, the Packers held Hutchinson without a single stat. No solo tackles, no assists, no pressures, and no sacks -- all across 46 snaps (96%).
It was an uncharacteristic performance for the fourth-year defender, as Green Bay consistently took him out of the game with double-teams, chip blocks, and strong pass protection.
With Marcus Davenport faring no better -- and no one else on Detroit’s defensive front making much of an impact -- Lions coach Dan Campbell shared his perspective on how opponents will continue to game plan against Hutchinson, which could include more double teams.
“I think anybody we play is going to. I always think of what I’d do -- WWDD -- and I would not let Hutch wreck the game. There’s no way,” Campbell told reporters. “So they will have answers. They’re not going to let him just -- particularly on passing downs -- they’re not going to let him ever have a one-on-one. And if they do, it’d be rare or the ball’s (coming) out really quick.
“He knows that, we know that, it’s understood. That’s the game he has to play, and that’s not for the faint of heart; that’s for sure. But it also means other guys got to step up and win, and it’ll be about us putting other guys in positions where we think we’ll draw some of those, and they’ll have to win, and win quickly.”
Hutchinson and Davenport weren’t the only ones who struggled to disrupt Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Detroit’s interior pass rush was just as ineffective.
Rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams finished with only two combined tackles, and defensive tackle D.J. Reader, who played 37 snaps, did not record a single stat.
The Lions ended the game without a sack, as Love operated behind a clean pocket throughout the afternoon.
When asked if he expected more from his interior defensive line, Campbell didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, I do. I believe that. Look, there’s more to give everywhere,” Campbell said. “That’s the most obvious -- the coaches, the players, what we do fundamentally, technique-wise, how we set it up a little bit. And so I would anticipate us being much better this week.”
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