Aidan Hutchinson Urges Calm After Packers Loss - Promising to beat the Chicago Bears next week

After the 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Aidan Hutchinson believes the Lions have a good history of responding to adversity.

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson played in his first NFL game since suffering a leg injury last October that ended his 2024 season. The Lions lost to the Green Bay Packers 27-13, and Hutchinson, like all of the Lions players on its defensive front, struggled to create pressure on quarterback Jordan Love.

There were many aspects of the Lions' performance yesterday that were concerning, including the defense, which recorded zero sacks, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits. In his first game back from injury, Hutchinson had only one quarterback hit.

Hutchinson on responding to adversity after season opener loss to Green Bay

Hutchinson's recovery from his leg injury last season was a long and difficult process, so it's not surprising that he was not as impactful against the Packers in the season opener.

While many Lions fans and critics are already sounding alarm bells after the brutal loss, Hutchinson's latest comments reminded those panicked and the pundits that the team has been in this position before and has responded well.

"We have a good history of responding and we have another divisional game next week, it's going to be good for us, said Hutchinson. "There's a lot of expectations this year, to come in and lose like that, I'm sure a lot of people will be really down on us, and that's where we thrive, when everyone doesn't believe in us anymore. I'm everyone's going to be talking, but I think what we do really well is when this adversity hits, we put the blinders on, we go."

How the Lions respond to adversity

The best way the Lions can respond to that adversity is by beating the Chicago Bears next week in their home opener at Ford Field. Playing in front of their home crowd, which was one of the most hostile in the NFL last season, should propel the Lions to get back on track.

Going up against their former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, should give the Lions extra motivation next week. Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Monday that it's a game the Lions are going to win and that they have to win.

A win against the Bears that features better defensive play and protection from the offensive line will make Lions fans more confident moving forward about their chances of competing in the NFC and winning a third straight division title.

Avoiding a 0-2 start is crucial for the Lions, especially since after playing the Bears, Detroit will travel to play one of the best teams in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens. Only 35 NFL teams have made the NFL playoffs after starting 0-2. However, three of the teams that started winless after two games last season (Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Rams) clinched a spot in the postseason.

With that being said, not all hope is lost even if the Lions end up losing to the Bears, but it's definitely a game that Detroit doesn't want to lose, given the Ravens are looming next on the schedule.

Roman Wilson and Cole Holcomb Benchings Leave Fans Scratching Heads

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't use much of two names many expected to see in their opening game against the New York Jets. Despite a win, and a strong offensive performance, there were questions leaving MetLife Stadium, and two of them revolved around why these players didn't see much - or any - playing time.

On offense, Roman Wilson was the odd man out in the receiving game. After a summer of Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan talking him up, and many insiders claiming the team shut down their wide receiver search because of their expectations in him, Wilson played just 10 snaps on offense.

Why? Well, because the team has other options. And while some may say it's a bad thing that the Steelers didn't utilize their second-year wideout like the fans and the media expected, it may be the best thing for the team, and doesn't hold Wilson back as many as some believe.

On defense, Cole Holcomb waited an entire season to be back in the defense and step foot in an NFL game again. His knee injury was devastating, but the Steelers held on in hopes that he'd one day be able to play again.

That is happening, but after a summer of working as the team's primary backup, Holcomb didn't see the field in Week 1. Instead, Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen played nearly every snap, and Malik Harrison came in off the bench to relieve them.

Honestly, the Steelers' defensive decision made less sense than their offensive. Wilson is in the midst of a crowded receiving core with multiple starters at wide receiver and tight end.

Holcomb, on the other hand, is part of a linebacking core that didn't play well against the Jets. Wilson struggled and Queen didn't do much better, and the Steelers found almost no success across the board on defense, but specifically in the ground game.

Holcomb provides more of a downhill threat, but head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Tery Austin didn't deem is neccassary to try him. Maybe a change of mindset could be the difference maker in their defense improving in Week 2.