Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs delivered one of the most electrifying individual performances of the 2024 season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With the Lions locked in a tight Week 12 battle against the New York Giants, Gibbs took over the game and helped Detroit escape with a crucial victory. But beyond the win, the second-year star etched his name deeper into NFL history by passing two of the greatest running backs to ever play the game.
Gibbs was unstoppable from the opening whistle. Every time he touched the ball, he showcased the elite speed, vision and versatility that made him the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His final stat line looked like something out of a video game: 15 carries for 219 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, along with 11 receptions for 45 yards and another score. It was easily one of the most dominant multi-dimensional performances by any player this season.
As impressive as those numbers are, the historical significance is even greater. Gibbs entered the matchup with 41 career touchdowns before turning 24 years old. After his three-touchdown explosion, he now sits at 44 total touchdowns before age 24, officially passing NFL legends Jim Brown (42) and Emmitt Smith (43) on the all-time leaderboard for touchdowns scored before a player’s 24th birthday.
This achievement places him in rare company. According to NFL.com, Gibbs is now tied with Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss, and trails only Detroit legend Barry Sanders, who recorded 47 touchdowns before turning 24. With Gibbs’ birthday not arriving until March, he will have the remainder of the season to match or surpass Sanders’ mark — a once-unthinkable possibility for such a young player.
Gibbs’ rapid rise is a testament to his consistency, durability, and elite playmaking ability. From the moment the Lions drafted him, expectations were sky-high, but he has exceeded every one of them. Detroit’s offense has become increasingly built around his dynamic skill set, and he continues rewarding that confidence by delivering superstar-level production week after week.
With his record-breaking pace and the Lions fighting for postseason positioning, Gibbs is not just contributing — he’s making history while helping transform Detroit into a legitimate contender. His name now sits alongside some of the NFL’s all-time greats, and at just 22 years old, he’s only getting started.
