Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images Handing out a game ball and unsung hero from the Detroit Lions deflating loss to the Buccaneers. While it’s not as enjoyable to hand out my game ball and award an unsung hero in defeat, there were deserving recipients for each in the Detroit Lions’ 20-16 loss in the rematch of Divisional Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s hard to beat a team three times in two years but these two Lions put the team in the best position to do so. Game Ball: Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson Absolute no brainer. Similar to last week, where Jameson Williams had a career day and received the game ball, Aidan Hutchinson and his destructive career day gets this week’s game ball. Hutchinson’s play was truly that of a Defensive Player of the Year candidate single-handedly taking over one side of the ball. It was one of the best individual performances by a Lions defender in years. He had three sacks in the first quarter: one on each of the first three drives, one to end the Buccaneers’ first drive of the third quarter, and his last half sack in the fourth quarter when the Lions were trailing for a career-high grand total of 4.5 sacks. Even more impressive, Hutchinson’s 4.5 sacks were accomplished while only rushing the passer on 23 drop backs from the Buccaneers and generating a 21.7% pressure rate. The game against Tampa Bay further defined why Hutchinson was the second overall pick and a franchise building block for Brad Holmes as the second first round pick of the regime. Hutchinson was a drive-killing wrecking ball throughout. 3.5 of his 4.5 sacks occurred on third down and in total they all resulted in drives ending with two field goals and three punts. Hutchinson’s first two sacks helped hold the Bucs to field goals. The first came shortly after a 41-yard pass interference penalty giving the Bucs the ball at the 5-yard line. The second after a sudden change of possession on Jared Goff’s first interception. Being a stopper like that is an All-Pro pass rusher quality. Guess who⁉️That's sack No. 4 for @aidanhutch97 on the day #TBvsDET | FOX pic.twitter.com/bUXqyo7ke3— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 15, 2024 On Sunday, Hutchinson became only the 11th player in NFL history to record at least 4.5 sacks in a game in his first three seasons. Among the 11 players to accomplish the feat, three of the players are Hall of Famers, another three won Defensive Player of the Year, and two others made a first team All-Pro team. Hutchinson’s afternoon also was the second most sack in a single game in Lions franchise history, behind only William Gay’s 5.5 sack performance against Tampa Bay in 1983. With 5.5 sacks through two weeks, surpassing Robert Porcher’s official single-season Lions sack record of 15 sacks from 1999 seems reasonable (Al Baker unofficial record of 23 sacks, before sacks became an official stat). It’s clear that Hutchinson has lifted his game and taken the year three leap, but it’s worth noting that the elevated play of the other defensive linemen also has helped to create more pressure and smaller pockets to allow Hutchinson’s pressures to turn into sacks. It’s Hutchinson and the group around him that should continue to spearhead this defense’s improvement and be a unit that takes over games while perhaps contending for the franchise record of 55 sacks in a season (on pace for 59.5 sacks). Unsung Hero: Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn Aaron Glenn stills seems to be some fans’ punching bag for some of the Lions’ short falls. For the second week in a row, the finger pointing is not justified. Glenn’s defense was the reason the Lions remained in contention to almost come from behind and win the game up until the final moments. In Week 1 against the Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay and new offensive coordinator Liam Cohen scored 37 points, had nearly 400 total yards, and converted 9-of-13 third down attempts. On Sunday, the Lions held the Buccaneers offense to 20 points, 216 total yards, and 2-of-10 on third down attempts. I’ll admit that I am guilty of questioning Aaron Glenn’s stubborn decisions to trust his game plans and not make adjustments at times, but Sunday was a great example of how his defenses can tighten up as the game progresses. After just the first four drives, thanks in large part to the Terrion Arnold pass interference, the Goff interception on the Lions’ first offensive play around midfield, and one lapse in coverage on the long Chris Godwin touchdown, the Buccaneers went up 13-6 early in the second quarter. The defense clamped down from there. The Buccaneers last six drives of the game resulted in a total of seven points and only 126 yards. Brian Branch stepped up to intercept Baker Mayfield the last drive of the second quarter and, aside from the Mayfield rushing touchdown, they forced four punts on five second half drives (all four possessions were four plays or less). BB picks it off!#TBvsDET | FOX pic.twitter.com/sbPI5rcDrP— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 15, 2024 The first big sign of progress for Glenn’s defense started by having the best run defense by DVOA in the league last year. That run defense has continued this season, after shutting down the Rams rushing attack last week, the team’s run defense, with the addition of DJ Reader, allowed only 40 rushing yards on 17 carries (2.3 yards per carry) to the Buccaneers running backs. Having the pass defense raise their level of play against the Buccaneers was the most promising sign. Aside from the blown coverage on the Godwin touchdown, the Lions held Mayfield to 11-of-18 passing for 144 passing yards and only eight passing first downs. They also held Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans in check for three catches for 42 receiving yards. Aside from the massive game by Aidan Hutchinson, both Levi Onwuzurike and Derrick Barnes, two fourth-year players, were consistently providing meaningful snaps and making plays in both the run and pass departments. Glenn also deserves credit for players developing in his program. Similar to those players improving, the pass coverage should also continue to improve in year four under Glenn. Arnold will keep adapting to the NFL game, Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson are still adjusting to their new defense, and Brian Branch is just starting to get comfortable in his role playing primarily safety. Eleven possessions, five sacks, one turnover, and five punts forced is a good afternoon for the defense. Aaron Glenn’s run defense will remain elite, the pass rush is bringing it like we haven’t seen in years, and the coverage will continue to improve. Glenn finally has the stable of horses and is well on his way to his most successful unit at the helm.