Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions Gregory Shamus/GettyImages

Jahmyr Gibbs' historic night leads the Lions to victory on MNF

Originally posted on Side Lion Report
By Michael Colwander | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 1:00 PM ET

In the Detroit Lions' much-needed 24-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, it was the defense that emerged as the game's biggest storyline. That says a lot because running back Jahmyr Gibbs' night was one for the history books.

Gibbs started Monday's game with a reception on a short pass. His subsequent juke, taking out two Buccaneers defenders, reminded both fanbases of Barry Sanders and his many games terrorizing Tampa Bay behind a strong offensive line. Gibbs was pushed out of bounds at the Buccaneers' 39-yard line for a gain of 30 yards. Just a few plays later, the Lions took a 7-0 lead after a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The Lions and Buccaneers traded non-scoring drives until the second quarter. Backed up on their own 22-yard line, Gibbs ran straight up the middle for a massive 78-yard TD run in what would ultimately be the game-winning score.

Jahmyr Gibbs....confirmed FAST #TBvsDET ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/NTXHFhvdla
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 21, 2025

Gibbs finished the night with 136 rushing yards and two rushing TDs. Gibbs also compiled 82 receiving yards on three receptions, falling four yards shy of the team's receiving high of 86 yards by St. Brown.

Gibbs clearly took a brunt of the rushing load on Monday. RB David Montgomery, who has been quiet in recent weeks, had 13 rushes for 21 yards. Meanwhile, Goff had two rushes of his own for seven yards. Both Goff and Montgomery's longest rush went for six yards.

Gibbs' historic game draws comparisons to legends

Any night where you can draw comparisons to Lions' legends like Sanders, Billy Sims, and Calvin Johnson is a good night. According to ESPN Insights, GIbbs' 218 scrimmage yards is the most of any Lions' player since Johnson's epic 329-yard game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.

The comparisons didn't stop there as the Lions PR social media account kicked into overdrive, posting numerous statistical factoids on X. Gibbs is the first Lion with over 200 scrimmage yards and two rushing TDs since Kevin Jones in 2011. He's also the first player of any team to rush for at least 135 yards, receive 80 yards, and rush for two TDs since Chris "CJ2K" Johnson in 2009. Lions PR also noted that Gibbs reached that mark with fewer than five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

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The impressive stats don't stop there. Gibbs is also the eighth player since 1960 to amass 100+ yards rushing, 50+ yards receiving, and a rushing TD in the first half of a game. Gibbs' 78-yard TD run was his second career 70+ yard TD rush, becoming the fifth player in Lions' history to do so multiple times. Gibbs is three such runs behind Sanders' five for the franchise record.

Lastly, Gibbs joins Sims as the only players in Lions' history to have 70+ scrimmage yards and at least one rushing TD in six consecutive home games. Suffice it to say, Gibbs' game on Monday was the stuff of legends. It may not get the attention it deserves thanks to an unexpected performance out of the "no name" secondary that rose to the occasion and an impactful return for defensive tackle Alim McNeill. Still, it's another feather in the cap for a young RB who is becoming a legend right before our very eyes.

This article first appeared on Side Lion Report and was syndicated with permission.

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