Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs put the rest of the NFL on notice yesterday when he had the best game of his brief career on Monday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been impressed with Gibbs and his progression throughout the season and made sure to praise the latter for continuing to improve.
Gibbs operated as the Lions’ workhorse in the Week 8 victory over the Raiders, receiving 31 touches and converting those opportunities into 189 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown while averaging a healthy 5.8 yards per carry. Campbell made it a priority to get Gibbs going early on Monday, giving him seven of the Lions first eight touches on the opening drive.
After the game, Campbell was quick to give Gibbs’ remarkable effort and gradual improvement during the season the respect it deserves: “Every week, he’s just gotten a little bit better and a little bit better,” Campbell stated via The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy.
“I thought last week was his best game and this week certainly surpassed that,” Campbell added.
It is important to note these consecutive impressive performances from Gibbs have come during the absence of Lions running back David Montgomery, who has operated as the team’s primary running back when healthy.
The Lions enter their Week 9 bye with a 6-2 record and remain atop the NFC North standings. With Montgomery possibly returning as soon as Week 10, it remains to be seen whether or not Gibbs can maintain this impressive workload and production.
