‘Fired Up’ Hutchinson Aims to Break Cowboys’ Home Win Streak.
After the 2022 season opener, the Detroit Lions have the chance to accomplish something that no other club has done.
Ever since that September 11, 2022, game, the Dallas Cowboys have never lost at home. They have won 15 straight home games at AT&T Stadium under the direction of quarterback Dak Prescott, including all seven this season.
Particularly Prescott has performed admirably in the welcoming surroundings of his hometown stadium. In home games this season, he has passed for 2,125 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
Despite how frightening it may appear, the Lions are intent on ending the run. Aidan Hutchinson, the defensive end, acknowledged that the possibility of giving the Cowboys their first home loss in nearly a decade has caused an additional wave of emotion.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, everyone knows the stat with Dallas at home. But, that gets, at least me, that gets me fired up, because you want to be the one to take them down,” Hutchinson said. “You want to be the one to end their home streak and stuff like that. They’ve got a lot of great players, Dak’s been playing great ball. We’ll be better.”
The Lions were one of the teams to fall victim to the Cowboys last season. Dan Campbell’s squad was defeated in Arlington, Texas, 24-6, in Week 7 of the 2022 season.
Both teams look different than they did in that matchup. The Lions lost top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown early in that game, while the Cowboys feature a new-look run game, headlined by last year’s backup, Tony Pollard.
“Similar scheme, I feel like,” Hutchinson said. “Just plugging in a different guy with Pollard. He played a lot last year, too. He’s a great player as well, so I don’t think it’s too much different.”
Lions have sights on ‘bigger things’
The Lions brought a great deal of satisfaction to their fanbase by delivering the first division title to the Motor City in 30 years. However, the team has been adamant that it is continuing to play for greater achievements.
Hutchinson, in particular, celebrated Sunday’s win, but soon refocused on the team’s bigger goals.
“I feel like, myself, I don’t know. It was a cool thing, but I have my sights set on a lot bigger things,” Hutchinson explained. “So, it was cool, we were all dancing around. But, after about 10 minutes, I was like, ‘Alright, time to get ready for the playoffs and get ready for this.’ You want to go to the Super Bowl, it’s like, so many bigger things. You can win the division, and then at the end of the year, lose in the playoffs. And, it’s like, at least we won the division, but that’s not the mentality that I want.”
The Lions’ players and coaches have made it a point to avoid complacency throughout the week. This way of thinking has resulted from everyone in the organization staying committed to its shared objective.
“Yeah, I feel like that’s just the kind of personalities that Dan and Brad and Rod and all those guys brought into this team,” Hutchinson replied. It’s sort of the name of the game, that never-ending search for something bigger. I simply want more from this year than to reflect on it and say, “I’m glad we won the division.”
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