The Lions are 2-1, Jared Goff is making history, and Jahmyr Gibbs is putting together a season we’ve never seen before. Detroit keeps finding ways to win when it matters most.
The Detroit Lions are coming off a victory over the New York Jets, pushing their record to 2-1 after defeating New York 31-24 in a game that once again came down to the final drive.
What’s ironic about the Lions scoring 31 points is that they have done it in every game this season, scoring exactly 31 points in all three contests.
Through three weeks, Jared Goff still has not thrown an interception. He now becomes one of just six quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 800 passing yards, have a 70% completion rate and record at least eight touchdown passes through their first three games of a season.
As good as Goff was, it was yet again Jahmyr Gibbs stealing the show. Gibbs finished the day with two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. He totaled 99 rushing yards and 65 receiving yards for 164 total yards.
Gibbs has now produced four games in his career with at least two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.
That ties him for the third-most games with 2+ rushing touchdowns and 1+ receiving touchdown in NFL history. The NFL record of five such games is shared by Jim Brown and Marshall Faulk.
Gibbs is also the first player in NFL history to produce the following statistics through the first three games of a season:
* 300 rushing yards
* 4 rushing touchdowns
* 150 receiving yards
* 2 receiving touchdowns
Amon-Ra St. Brown had a relatively quiet day, recording just four receptions for 19 yards, but he did manage to haul in a receiving touchdown. Surprisingly, Isaac TeSlaa led the Lions in receiving yards with 66. Goff spread the ball around quite a bit, completing passes to eight different Lions players.
Defensive back Christian Izien had a phenomenal game, recording 11 tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass deflection.
The Lions’ defensive line also really showed up, recording five sacks and seven quarterback hits. Edge rusher DJ Wonnum had two sacks, while Alim McNeill, Chuck Clark and Aidan Hutchinson each recorded a sack, with Hutchinson sharing his with Skyler Gill-Howard.
The Lions’ defense also recorded eight tackles for loss.
Detroit would put the game away with a safety blitz, with Chuck Clark getting a free rush at Geno Smith and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jack Campbell, sealing the victory for Detroit.
The Lions will now hit the road as they prepare to take on the Carolina Panthers in a Sunday night matchup next week.
