After superstar pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson went down for the season, the Lions had a gaping hole on their otherwise Super Bowl-caliber roster. Detroit legitimately had everything except for a difference-maker off the defensive edge, a place that some of the other NFC powers (and the AFC’s heavyweights) could probably exploit in the postseason.

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

Hours before the NFL’s trade deadline at 4 p.m., the NFC-leading Lions (7-1) acquired defensive end Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.