Maybe some running backs don’t matter, but the video-game character in Detroit certainly does.
Jahmyr Gibbs saved the Detroit Lions from a horrific home loss to the New York Giants on Sunday with an explosive-filled day, delivering two runs of 49 yards and a 69-yard game-winning touchdown stampede on the first play of overtime, in a 34-27 win.
It’s not hyperbole, exaggeration or overzealousness to say that without Gibbs, the Lions lose Sunday’s game to the two-win Giants, and might have watched their playoff hopes die on the turfed field.
“Dude’s as good as they come in this league,” quarterback Jared Goff said of Gibbs, via Justin Rodgers of Detroit Football Network. “You can tell the fear in the defense when the ball gets in his hands, the way they rally to him. And certainly, when he gets to the second level on some of those longer runs, you can feel the safety, the angle they start taking, and it’s a good feeling for us.”
For the game, Gibbs took 15 totes for a career high 219 rushing yards, averaged 14.6 yards per carry (also a career high), and scored two rushing touchdowns. He also added a career-high 11 catches for 45 yards and another score. He generated 145 rush yards over expected, per Next Gen Stats, with a 1.03 EPA per carry, tops for any running back in a game this season (minimum 10 carries)
Sunday marked Gibbs’ third career three-touchdown game and his second career game with 200 scrimmage yards (tied for second-most since 2023 behind only Jonathan Taylor’s three).
"That dude is as good as they come in this league," Goff said. "He's making his claim across the league as one of the best players regardless of position. We're lucky to have him. He's so electric."
Electric was the word of the day for the Lions, describing the play of the man nicknamed Sonic.
Gibbs has proven he’s not some jitterbug who needs space to thrive. Sunday, he bounced off tackles, ripped through linebackers, showed otherworldly balance before streaking past safeties. The third-year pro is so speedy that even protractors can’t measure the best angle to take him down.
Case in point: On Gibbs’ 69-yard TD scamper, his expected rush yards was 7, per Next Gen Stats. SEVEN. He netted 69 on a play that was analyzed to get a touchdown 0% of the time and a first down 23.3%. It helps when the blocking is excellent, but Gibbs' speed through the hole is of a different level.
"Gibbs is electric," coach Dan Campbell said. "When he found a crease, he was headed to the house. This was not about first downs and picking up a few yards. This guy is going to the house, and he's got the juice to make it happen. He's a difference maker. He bailed us out today."
The Lions offense hasn’t clicked in recent weeks, from offensive line struggles to missed passes from Goff to dropped balls by normally sure-handed targets. The only thing consistently right has been Gibbs.
When the offseason discussion turns to running backs, and the consensus is that they’re a replaceable part in the football cog, remember that’s not entirely accurate. Some are difference makers. Gibbs’ performance is Exhibit A.