Lions' Aidan Hutchinson crowned NFC Defensive Player of the Month

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.

The edge rusher has dominated through the first four games, leading the NFL with 6.5 sacks.

Hutchinson is the first Detroit player to win the honor since linebacker DeAndre Levy did in September 2014, according to the team.

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The third-year player has 6.5 sacks, 16 tackles, six tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits (also a league-high) and a forced fumble to lead Detroit to a 3-1 record to begin the season.

Hutchinson's greatest performance so far came in the team's lone loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. He set a career high by sacking Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield 4.5 times in the Lions' home 20-16 loss.

Related: 'He's a force right now': Lions' Aidan Hutchinson gets sack-happy vs. Buccaneers

According to Pro Football Focus, he has the best pass rush grade of any NFL player (94.2).

Hutchinson carried a five-game sack streak, the longest the franchise has ever seen, dating back to last season into the Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. However, the streak ended as the defensive end was handled by Seattle's offensive line.

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has racked up 27.5 sacks in his first 38 games. The 24-year-old has his sights on the single-season sack record of 22.5 held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.

Hutchinson and the Lions have a Week 5 bye before they head to Jerry World on Oct. 13 to take on the Dallas Cowboys.