Jahmyr Gibbs makes Lions history only ever done before by Barry Sanders

Contributing Writer
Jahmyr Gibbs makes Lions history only ever done before by Barry Sanders image

It's probably the right move to not get too fired up about a player only three seasons into his NFL career, at least as far as comparing someone to all-time greats.

But Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has started his career so well that he's already writing his name among some of the best to ever do it.

After a stellar day against the Washington Commanders, Gibbs now has 41 career touchdowns.

According to ESPN, he's only the second Lions play to reach 40 TDs in his first three seasons. The first was Barry Sanders, who had 47 touchdowns by the end of his third season, so Gibbs still has time to reach that mark and potentially break it.

"It was also Gibbs' fourth career game with a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown, which is the second most in Lions history behind Sanders (five)," writes ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "Gibbs was coming off a career-low 28 scrimmage yards on a season-low 12 touches in Week 9."

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Gibbs can't be held down for long.

The Lions made a play-caller change in Week 10. Head coach Dan Campbell took over the play sheet from offensive coordinator John Morton.

That's likely not the only reason Gibbs had the day he had. But it likely didn't hurt.

After a quiet game, the Lions clearly wanted to get Gibbs involved.

And when Gibbs plays well, so does the whole Detroit team. The Lions bashed the Commanders, 44-22, in a game that wasn't even that close.

It doesn't hurt to have a running back doing Sanders-like things, either.

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Editorial Team