Lions Knock Bucs Out of First in NFC Behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ Big Night
DETROIT — Jahmyr Gibbs delivered a performance for the ages, propelling the Detroit Lions to a dominant 24-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. The win not only showcased the Lions’ resilience after a Week 6 loss but also knocked the Buccaneers out of the top spot in the NFC standings. Every time NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders is at a Lions game, Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs says he wants "to show out," which is exactly what happened.
Gibbs was the undisputed star of the game, amassing a staggering 218 total yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns. His electrifying performance underscored the Lions’ status as a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. Following a Week 6 defeat against Kansas City, Detroit demonstrated its ability to rebound with a decisive home victory, highlighted by the debut of their all-black uniforms this season. Since the start of the 2022 campaign, the Lions have established themselves as one of the league’s most resilient teams, boasting a 13-4 record following a loss. This mark is second only to the Kansas City Chiefs (11-2) during that span, according to ESPN Research.
Detroit Lions (5-2)
Most Surprising Performance: The Lions’ defense, despite being without key starters such as safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (suspension), and cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder), rose to the occasion. The secondary, in particular, played a pivotal role in forcing two first-half turnovers by the Buccaneers. The unit held Tampa Bay’s explosive offense to a mere 58 yards in the first two quarters and 251 yards for the entire game, while also recording four sacks. Amik Robertson forced a fumble that was recovered by Aidan Hutchinson in the second quarter, and Arthur Maulet intercepted a pass after ripping the ball away from Cade Otton.
Biggest Hole in Game Plan: Third-down conversions proved to be a challenge for the Lions, as they only converted 3 of 13 attempts. Head coach Dan Campbell expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s third-down efficiency at halftime.
Stat to Know: Gibbs electrified the crowd with a 78-yard touchdown run up the middle, marking the longest run of his NFL career. Reaching a top speed of 22.2 mph, Gibbs recorded the fastest rushing touchdown by an offensive ball carrier this season, according to Next Gen Stats. He is the only player over the past three seasons to reach 22 mph on a rushing touchdown, and he has done it twice now, including on a 70-yard touchdown versus the Titans in 2024.
Next Game: vs. Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 2)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
The Buccaneers entered the game with the anticipation of a strong offensive showing, buoyed by the return of Mike Evans (hamstring) and Emeka Egbuka (hamstring). However, the stars failed to align for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers in Motown. Tampa Bay’s struggles on defense, compounded by Evans’ early exit from the game due to a concussion and a broken collarbone, hindered their performance. Evans sustained the injuries after colliding with Rock Ya-Sin on a deep pass attempt and landing hard on the turf. The offense struggled to find its rhythm, and the connection between Mayfield and Egbuka was not as efficient as anticipated, with only 4 receptions for 58 yards on 12 targets.
Tampa Bay’s loss knocked them out of the top spot in the NFC, pulling them back into the pack of contenders.
What to Make of the Quarterback Performance: Mayfield appeared uncomfortable and out of sync throughout the game, completing 28 of 50 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown with one interception. However, the interception was not solely attributable to Mayfield, as the ball was wrestled out of Otton’s hands. One highlight was Mayfield’s screen pass to rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson, resulting in a 22-yard touchdown. Mayfield also fumbled after being sacked by Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyrus Wheat, but Tristan Wirfs recovered the ball. Overall, it was an uncharacteristic performance for Mayfield, who had been playing at an MVP level this season.
Biggest Hole in the Game Plan: Similar to their games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Houston Texans, the Buccaneers’ defense surrendered an explosive play and a touchdown on the opening drive. Tampa Bay struggled to defend the flat throughout the game. On the opening drive, they allowed a 30-yard reception to Gibbs. They had issues with Gibbs in the flat again on a 24-yard catch, then on a 28-yard reception, during which SirVocea Dennis dove at his ankles, setting up a touchdown in the third quarter.
Biggest Surprise: The Buccaneers’ run defense, which had been ranked fifth in the league, allowing only 3.7 yards per carry, surrendered 5.1 yards per carry and 164 rushing yards to the Lions. Gibbs’ 78-yard touchdown run in the second quarter marked the fifth-longest play against the Buccaneers’ defense in team history. On the play, both interior defensive linemen dropped back into coverage with three defensive backs attempting to converge on Gibbs in the backfield. However, Gibbs found daylight to add to his huge night once he was past Roberts and linebacker Lavonte David.
Next Game: at New Orleans Saints (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
