The Detroit Lions are feeling the pressure as they try to chase down a playoff birth and save a season that has gone off the rails, but amid the chaos, it's important to remember the fundamentals.
Mentally, while the Lions have struggled due to injuries and elements outside their control, they can control their attitude as the season comes to a close. No matter what happens, the Lions have to remain positive and continue to work even though the playoffs have become a long shot.
Aidan Hutchinson has seen what has happened on the field the last few weeks, and knows his defense has struggled. Rather than any scheme or injuries or downturn in play, Hutchinson seems to believe that the Lions simply have to get back to enjoying the game to have success.
"Just have fun out there. It's a simple thing. Football in the NFL is a business, but you have to treat it like a fun game you love in order to get results. I feel like the defenses I've been on, whenever we're out there having fun -- not just doing your job and executing -- but you're having fun, you're celebrating together, you're jumping around. That energy is very infectious and we've got to get back to that. We talk about it all the time. I think if we're doing that, having fun, celebrating, making big plays, that's going to be a big one for us."
As Hutchinson explained, the discussion around throwing caution to the wind and having fun has been a hot topic in defensive meetings, given the Lions have played better in the past when doing that.
"We had a conversation about it a few weeks ago. I don't remember what game, but we were all talking about getting back to it. When you face adversity, you can kind of get into a lull in terms of, you're doing your job, I got my gap, (etcetera). So it kind of came together. I think (having fun is) when we play our best. If I look back and reflect on it, that's when you play your best as a defense. It's when you're going out there flying around having a good time."
Detroit has to play as if they have nothing to lose in the next two games, and that means having fun and cutting it loose on the field. Hutchinson's take on that mindset seems useful as the Lions close out 2025.
Hutchinson believes short week will work to Lions benefit vs. Vikings
Fortunately, the Lions won't have to wait to get back on the field. They start Week 17 on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings, which means they won't have much time to stew in the frustrations of a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Such a situation could be tough for a team, but Hutchinson believes it's good that the Lions have to shift their focus toward preparations again. He believes it will help channel the disappointment of what occurred in Week 16.
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"It's (a) fast (turnaround), but I think as much as that loss hurt the team, having a short week really makes you shift focus and invest all your energy into a new opponent. I think that's a blessing. I think these coaches, everybody, the players, we're doing everything we can to prepare to win this game."
The Lions likely have already turned away from the loss to the Steelers, and are focusing on a game plan for the Vikings, who beat them after the bye week in 2025. To find success, they might simply have to remember the joy of playing football.