9 fastest players in the NFL in Week 12: Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs continues to dominate 2025 speed leaderboard

Teddy Ricketson

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9 fastest players in the NFL in Week 12: Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs continues to dominate 2025 speed leaderboard image

Week 12 of the NFL season was one of the best weeks of action so far in 2025.

The Philadelphia Eagles were up 21-0, but the Dallas Cowboys scored 24 unanswered points to pick up a huge win. The Buffalo Bills struggled in primetime and couldn't capitalize on a big game from running back James Cook in a loss to the Houston Texans. 

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 15 carries for 219 yards with two touchdowns, and added 45 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions to dominate the New York Giants' defense in a game that Detroit needed overtime to win. 

The Lions and Giants were one of three games that went into overtime in Week 12, with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars escaping with narrow wins as well. 

Amidst all the crazy action, some highlights stood out above the rest for players showcasing blazing speed. Here's a look at the nine fastest plays from Week 12 in the NFL.

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All speeds courtesy of NextGen stats.

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions (22.17 mph)

  • Top speed: 22.17 mph
  • Play type: 69-yard rush TD

The Lions kicked a 59-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the game to force the action into overtime. Detroit got the ball first and started the drive on its own 31-yard line. Jahmyr Gibbs ran the ball to the right and took off for a 69-yard touchdown. After the Giants failed to find the endzone, the Lions only needed the one-play touchdown from Gibbs to secure the win. Gibbs' speed was the fourth-fastest recorded all season, according to Next Gen Stats. He also owns the second- and third-fastest times this season as well. 

MORE: NFC standings after Week 12 wins by Lions, Packers and Bears

2. James Cook, RB, Bills (21.33 mph)

  • Top speed: 21.33 mph
  • Play type: 45-yard rush TD

The Bills' first drive against the Texans on "Thursday Night Football" was their best of the game. Buffalo ran 10 plays and tallied 81 yards on the scoring drive. It was capped by James Cook breaking free for a 45-yard rushing touchdown. Kicker Matt Prater missing the extra point was an ominous sign for the rest of the game, but Cook had the second-fastest play in Week 12 on his touchdown sprint. 

MORE: Ranking the greatest Bills of all time

3. Mason Tipton, WR, Saints (21.03 mph)

  • Top speed: 21.03 mph
  • Play type: 75-yard kickoff return

After trading away Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks, Mason Tipton was upgraded to the No. 3 wide receiver on the Saints' depth chart. He has been used sparingly in special teams, but he could see his role expand after Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Tipton returned a kickoff for 75 yards in New Orleans' most explosive play in its divisional loss. 

MORE: NFL all-time passing yards leaders

4. Dylan Sampson, RB, Browns (20.82 mph)

  • Top speed: 20.82 mph
  • Play type: 66-yard TD reception

Shedeur Sanders wasn't the only Browns rookie to have an impact in Cleveland's Week 12 win over Las Vegas. Sanders threw a screen pass to the right and rookie running back Dylan Sampson, filling in for an injured Quinshon Judkins at the time, took it to the house from 66 yards out. 

MORE: Grading Shedeur Sanders' first NFL start

5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks (20.80 mph)

  • Top speed: 20.80 mph
  • Play type: 63-yard TD reception

Jaxson Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with an impressive 1,313 yards through 11 games. He has already set the Seattle Seahawks' single-season record, and he has his eyes firmly set on becoming the first 2,000-yard receiver in NFL history. JSN has eight receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans, including an explosive 63-yard score. 

MORE: Ranking the greatest Seahawks of all time

6. KaVontae Turpin, WR, Cowboys (20.48 mph)

  • Top speed: 20.48 mph
  • Play type: 48-yard reception

KaVontae Turpin is mainly known for being a special teams threat, but Dallas tries to find ways to get him into open space when on offense. The wide receiver caught a slant from Dak Prescott, dodged a defender and then did what he did best. Turpin took the pass 48 yards as Dallas came back from 21-0 to win 24-21 over the Eagles. 

MORE: Ranking the greatest Cowboys of all time

7. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Steelers (20.43 mph)

  • Top speed: 20.43 mph
  • Play type: 55-yard rush

The tush push has become the most controversial play in football. It is extremely difficult to officiate, and it looks like it has a better chance of getting banned this offseason. The Steelers took advantage of this and ran a fake tush push, which saw Kenneth Gainwell run around the offensive line for a huge 55-yard gain. 

MORE: Ranking the greatest Steelers of all time

8. Isaiah Bond, WR, Browns (20.29 mph)

  • Top speed: 20.29 mph
  • Play type: 52-yard reception

The Browns showcased its top rookies in their win over the Raiders. Shedeur Sanders became the first Browns quarterback since 1999 to win in their first career start. Quinshon Judkins had two touchdowns, Dylan Sampson had a receiving touchdown, and Isaiah Bond had a 52-yard reception. Sanders hit Bond in stride, but the rookie was tackled just shy of the goal line.

MORE: Shedeur Sanders' stats from NFL debut

9. Chimere Dike, WR, Titans (20.15 mph)

  • Top speed: 20.15 mph
  • Play type: 90-yard punt return TD

The Titans are doing a lot of evaluating the rest of their season. Tennessee lost Calvin Ridley to a season-ending injury, and it provided an opportunity for another player to step up. Wide receiver Chimere Dike had two touchdowns on the day. He finished with five receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown, but his best play of the day came on special teams with a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown. 

MORE: How Cam Ward compares to other Miami QBs in the NFL's history

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