Detroit Lions film review: Interior o-line, St. Brown key on all three of Gibbs' long runs
Allen Park — We’re more than two years removed from Jahmyr Gibbs’ breakout performance — a 26-carry, 152-yard effort against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football.
In the 36 games between that showing and this past Sunday, Gibbs has established himself as one of the league’s best running backs, averaging more than 100 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown per game during that stretch.
However, against the New York Giants, the Pro Bowl back on an All-Pro path raised the bar with an electric outing that included three runs of 40 or more yards and three touchdowns in Detroit’s 34-27 overtime victory.
To add context, Gibbs had six such carries in his first 42 games and never two in one day. His final stat line: 15 carries, 219 yards, two touchdowns, 10 targets, 10 receptions, 31 receiving yards, and another touchdown. Not surprisingly, his 269 yards from scrimmage were a career-high, marking the second time he’s topped 200 in a game.
Demonstrating his rapid ascent to greatness, three of his four most productive games have come in the past six weeks.
When coach Dan Campbell handed out game balls after Sunday’s victory, he made sure to note that long ground gains and big rushing games are the product of every player on the field doing their jobs. Obviously, Gibbs is able to capitalize on the lanes his blocking creates better than most, and it felt worthy of breaking the monster carries down in a truncated film review on a short week.