Detroit has famously never played in a Super Bowl, and the Lions have won only one playoff game since 1957. It’s a franchise known for its futility — but at 6-2 and coming off a bye, Hutchinson feels the team’s best football is still ahead of it.

when you look at our team and what kind of guys that we have, you’re like, this could be our shot.

“When you look at our team and what kind of guys that we have, you’re like, this could be our shot,” Hutchinson said. “I think a lot of guys understand that.

I feel like those long playoff runs and potential Super Bowl appearances, those come few and far between. If the opportunity is there, we’re going to jump on it.”

It hasn’t happened in Detroit since 1993, but this year, one drought could end — the Lions are on track to win their division for the first time since the NFL realigned into eight divisions of four teams each.

The Lions have one of the most fierce rushing attacks in football, and quarterback Jared Goff (12 touchdowns to five interceptions) is in the midst of another Pro Bowl-worthy campaign.

Perhaps most importantly, Detroit has only four games remaining against teams with winning records — and two of those games are against its closest rival in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings. It’s given Hutchinson the belief and confidence to raise the level of expectations in the building.