Alim McNeill Highest PFF-Graded IDL Among Remaining Playoff Teams

Among interior defensive linemen remaining in the postseason, Detroit Lions Alim McNell is the highest PFF-graded among his peers at his position (88.6)

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn explained this week, prior to the team's divisional round playoff game against the Buccaneers, having McNeill back in the lineup provides his defense another dominating presence. 

"Anytime you have both of those guys in the game because both of those guys are pretty dominate players," Glenn said. "And the thing is Mac was actually on fire at one point before he had his injury, and now that he’s back, now you’ve got to get himself back going. And we’re looking forward to him doing that.”

Hutchinson has seen his sack total rise the past month of the season, as the defensive line has been bringing pressure and attacking opposing quarterbacks with well-times blitzes. 

"Listen, he’s been doing a good job all year, and I think the numbers show that," Glenn said about the former No. 2 overall draft pick. "And it was just a matter of time until those things turn around for him and they end up being sacks. We talk about that all the time. I think sometimes on the outside we get so caught up in that, that we’re not looking at how hard the player is going out there, executing and the things that he’s doing for other guys around him. 

"Man, it’s just been fortunate for him for those to turn into sacks right now because that’s what he wants, that’s what we all want, but the pressures are what help a lot too," Glenn explained further. "We’ve hit the quarterback quite a bit these last couple of weeks and we want to continue to do that because that’s an emphasis of ours every week.”