The start of Detroit Lions Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs’ career has him in elite company. The star running back was only the second player in NFL history with at least 100 catches and 25 receiving touchdowns in his first two career seasons. He joined Edgerrin James on a list that now consists of two people.
Gibbs is coming off a stellar 2024 regular season where he finished fifth in rushing yards and tied for first in rushing touchdowns. He was a critical part of a Detroit Lions offense that was one of the league’s best during the regular season. Gibbs has 104 career receptions and 26 career rushing touchdowns. Will Gibbs be able to continue playing well as the Detroit Lions eye a deep playoff run?
Detroit Lions Season Summary
Jahmyr Gibbs of the @Lions is the second player in NFL history with at least 100 catches and 25 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons, joining Hall of Famer Edgerrin James. pic.twitter.com/qrp6sorvP4
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 6, 2025
Detroit is riding high following a dominant 31-9 victory last night over the Minnesota Vikings that helped them lock up the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Gibbs was an integral part of the victory as he had a career-high four total touchdowns. Detroit had one of the league’s best offenses during the regular season. They were second in yards per game and led the league in points per game by a sizable margin. Quarterback Jared Goff made history as well with the best season of his NFL career.
Detroit’s defense has struggled this year as the unit has been ravaged by injury. To their credit, they put together a masterful performance against a high-flying Vikings offense. Detroit’s defense had Quarterback Sam Darnold “seeing ghosts” as he was walloped all game by the Lions front. He went a miserable 18-of-41 for 166 passing yards. It was the worst game of his season in terms of completion percentage and passing yards. The Lions defense was 20th in yards allowed 7th in points allowed during the regular season.
Final Thoughts
Detroit will have a chance to kick their feet up and rest over NFL Wild Card Weekend. The bye week will allow them to get healthy and give their plethora of injured players another week to return to the gridiron. Head Coach Dan Campbell has the Detroit Lions playing great entering the most important playoff run in franchise history. Ford Field will be a difficult place for an opposing team to come in and win as the Lions are in prime position for a Super Bowl appearance in New Orleans.
