It feels like the NFL community and Detroit coaching staff have both waited in equal anticipation for the breakout of the Lions’ surprise first-round pick and rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs. While it did take eight weeks to get there, Gibbs finally put the league on notice on one of its brightest stages during primetime Monday Night Football.
With veteran starter David Montgomery missing the week eight matchups versus the Las Vegas Raiders, Gibbs was handed the entire workload on offense. Once Gibbs started churning out the yardage, it felt like a rolling ball of momentum that the Raiders could simply not stop. Gibbs was Detroit’s offense on Monday and dominated to the tune of 189 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 31 total touchdowns. Las Vegas had no answer for the rookie, who looked like the explosive playmaker that Detroit had been hoping for when they drafted him at number twelve overall.
JAHMYR GIBBS BREAKOUT GAME 🔥
📺: #LVvsDET on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/3b1HZU34bs pic.twitter.com/Tk53pg167Z— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2023
It is going to be hard justifying in the coming games taking away carries from Gibbs after what he did on Monday night. Even when Montgomery returns Gibbs should remain the focal point of this offense and take over as the primary ball carrier for one of the best offenses in the league. If he can keep up this kind of production throughout the season Gibbs will have more than justified his high end selection in the 2023 NFL draft.
