Eric Woodyard
DETROIT — Lions working again Jahmyr Gibbs had been itching for a breakout recreation in 2025 and at last obtained it, utilizing the “Monday Night time Soccer” stage to showcase a two-touchdown efficiency in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gibbs totaled a career-best 218 scrimmage yards, essentially the most by a Lions participant in a recreation since Corridor of Famer Calvin Johnson had 329 yards in 2013, per ESPN Analysis.
Detroit received 24-9 to enhance to 5-2 because it enters its bye week.
Gibbs ran for 136 yards whereas including 82 receiving yards.
“This was my first 200-yard output, so yeah, it is kinda particular,” Gibbs stated, smiling.
Gibbs additionally drew motivation from competing in entrance of Lions nice Barry Sanders, his boyhood idol, as he broke release the center for the longest run of his NFL profession with a 78-yard landing at 6:01 within the second quarter.
“It was simply black. All I noticed was black jerseys,” Gibbs stated of working behind Lions offensive linemen Penei Sewell and Tate Ratledge on the lengthy landing play. “I used to be like, ‘Oh, s—‘ and I simply ran straight.”
Gibbs' high velocity on the play was 22.2 mph, the quickest speeding landing by an offensive ball provider this season, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats.
He's the one participant over the previous three seasons to succeed in 22 mph on a speeding landing, and he has completed it twice now, together with a 70-yard landing versus the Tennessee Titans final season.
“These actually lengthy ones are enjoyable to look at, and I really feel like I obtained the perfect seat in the home simply to, like, see him hit the outlet after which simply, like, take off,” stated Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who went 20-for-29 for 241 passing yards with a landing and an interception versus Tampa Bay.
“I do not know what number of safeties within the league may catch him. In order quickly as he will get there, it is over. He is gone,” Goff stated. “It felt like final 12 months, the Titans run, the 70-yard run, it was very comparable the place it is identical to him on the protection after which it is over. Nevertheless it's fairly cool. He is dang quick, and it is enjoyable to look at.”
Lions coach Dan Campbell stated he was equally impressed by the offensive linemen's potential to open holes for Gibbs, in addition to the strong blocking by receivers.
“You felt like this was coming,” Campbell stated of Gibbs' efficiency. “You felt like this has been constructing, and as he will get in higher form and begins getting his toes underneath him, begins getting the texture of it, begins breaking some tackles. Each week he is gotten nearer and nearer, and tonight was an evening the place he busted one among these out of there, and there can be no trying again. I believe he is simply going to proceed to do that.”
Gibbs punched in his second speeding landing of the evening with a goal-line spin transfer from 5 yards out to place Detroit forward 21-9 at 4:10 within the third quarter.
He grew to become the second participant with 200 scrimmage yards and two scrimmage touchdowns “Monday Night time Soccer” over the previous 15 seasons, together with Tyreek Hill (Week 11 in 2018).
Nonetheless, Gibbs remained nonchalant after the victory, crediting his offensive line for the efficiency. He would not name Monday's recreation the perfect of his profession, saying he has greater requirements.
Detroit's protection additionally stepped as much as maintain the Buccaneers to a season-low 9 factors, regardless of taking part in with out beginning safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Department (suspension) and cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and D.J. Reed (hamstring).
The Lions are actually trying ahead to resting up through the bye week earlier than returning for a house recreation Nov. 2 in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings.
“I have been wanting to interrupt a giant run for a minute,” Gibbs stated. “I like runs like that, so having this one actually meant rather a lot.”
