Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs ties Barry Sanders record in win

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 5, 2025 12:11 AM ET

The Detroit Lions offense delivered on Thursday night in a massive 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys, strengthening the team's push for a playoff spot in the NFC. There were a lot of stars in Detroit's win, and that includes third-year running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

He only rushed for 43 yards in the win, but he caught seven passes for 77 yards and scored three touchdowns in the win.

Those touchdowns were significant not only for the Lions on Thursday, but also for Gibbs as he gets off to a historic start to his career.

Jahmyr Gibbs ties Barry Sanders record in win

Gibbs' third touchdown of the game, a late fourth-quarter score to give the Lions a two-score lead and help put the game away, was not only his 16th of the season, it was also the 47th of his career.

That ties him with Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders for the most ever by a player in his first three seasons in the NFL.

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs now has scored 47 touchdowns and tied Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns in a player’s first three NFL seasons.
pic.twitter.com/IwaFR0xnlq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2025

Anytime you find yourself tying a record set by Barry Sanders, it is probably a good sign that you are doing something spectacular. The Lions selected Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has been a constant impact player ever since.

He has already topped the 1,000-yard for the second year in a row, while his rookie season is the only year he did not eclipse that mark. He rushed for 945 yards that season in only 15 games.

He is one of the best players in football and as dynamic of an offensive playmaker as there is right now. Along with his 47 touchdowns, he also has 4,726 all-purpose yards from scrimmage in his career.

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

More must-reads: