Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at Ford Field. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Watch: Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs has eventful start vs. Vikings

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jan 5, 2025 9:21 PM ET

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had an eventful start to Sunday night's massive game against the Minnesota Vikings.

On the positive side, he opened the scoring with his 17th touchdown of the season by finding a hole in the Vikings' defensive line and going 25 yards.

Have a look.

GIBBS STARTS THE SCORING. His 17th TD of the season.

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It is the type of impact play Gibbs has been making all season for the Lions, and he did it again in the biggest game of the regular season.

The bad news for Gibbs is that later in the first half, he was involved in another highlight-reel play that was not quite as positive for him or the Lions. As Lions quarterback Jared Goff attempted to find him on a swing pass in the backfield, he was lit up by Vikings edge-rusher Andrew Van Ginkel with one of the biggest hits of the NFL season.

Van Ginkel delivers a BOOM.

: #MINvsDET on NBC/Peacock
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— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025

That is just a massive hit, and it left Gibbs briefly shaken up as he was tended to on the sidelines.

He entered Sunday's game 1,273 yards rushing and 486 yards receiving and is a key part of the Lions offense. That is especially true with the Lions' other top running back, David Montgomery, sidelined with an injury of his own for the remainder of the season.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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