With his second rushing touchdown against the Dolphins in the first half on Sunday, Jamaal Williams passed two Lions’ luminaries to set a franchise record.
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams scored the first touchdown for either team in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. He also tied the Lions’ franchise record for rushing touchdowns in the first seven games of a season, with his seventh to tie Barry Sanders (1991) and Billy Sims (1980, 1981).
As the Lions continued to have no trouble moving the ball against the Dolphins defense, Williams scored again, from one-yard out, early in the second quarter. That score of course set a new franchise mark, with his eighth rushing touchdown in the first seven games this season.
With his 2nd rushing TD of the game, @Lions RB @jswaggdaddy now has 8 rushing TDs on the season.
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) October 30, 2022
His 8 rushing TDs are the most in franchise history through the first 7 games of any season.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/VMvfjSgJIo
Williams also has his fourth two-plus rushing touchdown game of the season, which puts him in more historical company in Lions’ history–alongside only Sanders this time though.
.@Lions RB @jswaggdaddy has produced his 4th game of the season with 2+ rushing TDs.
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) October 30, 2022
He joins @BarrySanders (1991) as the only Lions with 4+ multi-rushing TD games in a single season.
He is the first Lion with consecutive home games with 2+ rushing TDs since Sanders in 1997. pic.twitter.com/n6Zf8E815l
Here’s a look at Williams’ two scores in the first half agains the Dolphins.
That's how you start a Sunday❗️@jswaggdaddy punches it in for the score 🙌#MIAvsDET 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/a9LwulAexT
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 30, 2022
Another Sunday, another multi-touchdown day for @jswaggdaddy!#MIAvsDET | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/bF7EdWA8q6
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 30, 2022
Jamaal Williams in very lofty Detroit Lions’ historical company, and at the top of the league in rushing touchdowns this year
If you’re reaching and passing marks Barry Sanders and Billy Sims have reached in Detroit Lions’ history, it’s obviously huge. Williams has also tied Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb for this season’s league lead with eight rushing touchdowns, with Chubb playing on Monday night.
Through Sunday’s opening half, Williams has an even 100 carries for 452 yards this season to go with his eight touchdowns. With D’Andre Swift missing the three games prior to Sunday with ankle and shoulder issues, he has been a critical cog in the Detroit offense all season long.
Williams has sort of surfaced as a possible trade candidate for the Lions before Tuesday’s deadline. With what he’s done on Sunday already, let alone what the second half might bring, some offers may come.