‘You can tell the fear in the defense’ when he gets ball

Sunday marked Gibbs’ third career three-touchdown game and his second career game with 200 scrimmage yards (tied for second-most since 2023 behind only Jonathan Taylor‘s three).

“That dude is as good as they come in this league,” Goff said. “He’s making his claim across the league as one of the best players regardless of position. We’re lucky to have him. He’s so electric.”

Electric was the word of the day for the Lions, describing the play of the man nicknamed Sonic.

Gibbs has proven he’s not some jitterbug who needs space to thrive. Sunday, he bounced off tackles, ripped through linebackers, showed otherworldly balance before streaking past safeties. The third-year pro is so speedy that even protractors can’t measure the best angle to take him down.

Case in point: On Gibbs’ 69-yard TD scamper, his expected rush yards was 7, per Next Gen Stats. SEVEN. He netted 69 on a play that was analyzed to get a touchdown 0% of the time and a first down 23.3%. It helps when the blocking is excellent, but Gibbs’ speed through the hole is of a different level.

“Gibbs is electric,” coach Dan Campbell said. “When he found a crease, he was headed to the house. This was not about first downs and picking up a few yards. This guy is going to the house, and he’s got the juice to make it happen. He’s a difference maker. He bailed us out today.”

The Lions offense hasn’t clicked in recent weeks, from offensive line struggles to missed passes from Goff to dropped balls by normally sure-handed targets. The only thing consistently right has been Gibbs.

When the offseason discussion turns to running backs, and the consensus is that they’re a replaceable part in the football cog, remember that’s not entirely accurate. Some are difference makers. Gibbs’ performance is Exhibit A.