On Monday night, the Detroit Lions secured a solid 24-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs showcased his versatility and explosiveness throughout the game, amassing a career-high 218 yards from scrimmage and scoring two touchdowns. Meanwhile, in another Monday night matchup, the Seattle Seahawks edged out the Houston Texans 27-19, propelled by the stellar play of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Charbonnet.
### Jahmyr Gibbs Leads Lions to Victory Over Buccaneers
Jahmyr Gibbs was the star of the evening at Ford Field. Despite being offered oxygen on the sidelines after a spectacular 78-yard run, he declined, clearly demonstrating his stamina and determination. His performance was a key factor in the Lions’ 24-9 win over Tampa Bay, as he scored twice and racked up a career-best 218 yards from scrimmage.
Gibbs’ first touchdown came in the second quarter on a long sprint, showcasing his speed and ability to break through the defense. He followed that up in the third quarter with a five-yard spinning touchdown run, further cementing his impact on the game. With 136 yards rushing on 17 carries and 82 yards receiving on three catches, Gibbs had a day to remember. His total yards from scrimmage ranks among the best performances in the franchise over the past two decades.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell praised Gibbs after the game, saying, “You felt like this was coming. This has been building.” Campbell also highlighted the team’s resilience, noting how the Lions have maintained an NFL-long streak of 51 regular-season games without back-to-back losses, showing their ability to bounce back from defeat.
Despite Tampa Bay outgaining Detroit by over 200 yards in the first half, the Buccaneers struggled to convert their opportunities into points. Detroit’s defense forced turnovers, and special teams made key plays, including a missed field goal by Detroit’s Jake Bates that was quickly followed by a successful 53-yard field goal by Tampa Bay’s Chase McLaughlin, ending the first half with the score at 14-3.
The Buccaneers tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter with a 22-yard touchdown reception by rookie Tez Johnson, narrowing Detroit’s lead to 14-9. However, the Lions responded quickly. Gibbs’ 15-yard run and 28-yard reception set up his second touchdown of the night, which extended Detroit’s lead to 21-9 late in the third quarter.
Gibbs’ performance was notable not only for his yardage but also for its rarity. He became the first NFL player since Chris Johnson in 2009 to record at least 135 rushing yards, 80 receiving yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a single game. Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles acknowledged Gibbs’ talent, saying, “When you miss a gap, he can turn it into a big play.”
Quarterback Jared Goff contributed to the Lions’ success with a solid outing, completing 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a 27-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown on the opening drive. However, Goff also had some struggles, including a lost fumble, an interception, and an overthrow on a critical fourth-and-2 play. Despite these miscues, Detroit’s offense managed to do enough to secure the win.
The Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield finished the game completing 28 of 50 passes for 228 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Mayfield noted the difficulties his offense faced, saying, “As a skill group, we didn’t connect on a lot of plays. Once the defense knows we are going to have to pass, they can pin their ears back. That’s not a fair situation to the offensive line.” The Buccaneers’ inability to slow down Gibbs and capitalize on their possessions ultimately cost them the game.
Detroit’s special teams also played a crucial role. Jake Bates redeemed himself by making a 58-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, which extended the Lions’ lead to 24-9. Tampa Bay coach Bowles admitted that the Lions were a tough matchup and credited the home crowd’s energy, but expressed disappointment in his team’s execution.
With the win, the Lions improved to 5-2 on the season and extended their impressive