The Detroit Lions rookie pass rushers Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston made history in their team’s Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears. Hutchinson recorded half a sack, bringing his season total to 7.5, while Houston recorded three sacks, bringing his season total to eight. This makes them the first rookie pass rush duo to each record at least seven sacks in a season since sacks became a statistic in 1982.
Why It Matters: The impressive performance of these two rookies has contributed significantly to the Lions’ 8-8 record and their chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Their ability to step up and perform at a high level despite their rookie status has been crucial for the team.
While Hutchinson, the second overall pick, was expected to perform well, Houston’s success is particularly noteworthy. A sixth-round pick out of Jackson State, Houston didn’t even make the Lions out of training camp and only made his debut on Thanksgiving against the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded two sacks against Josh Allen. Since then, he has set the record for most sacks in a player’s first six career games and now leads all rookies in sacks.
Hutchinson and Houston By the Numbers:
- Hutchinson: 7.5 sacks
- Houston: 8 sacks
