I could just write "Jahmyr Gibbs" over and over again in these takeaways from the Detroit Lions' Week 10 win over the New England Patriots, but he was actually just one part to a multi-faceted story from the teams' international win.
In Munich, the Lions ran roughshod over the Patriots, winning by a final score of 35-10. It probably could've been an even bigger rout had Jared Goff not thrown two interceptions.
Of course, the win was overshadowed by a play that took place in the 1st quarter - Aidan Hutchinson injuring his knee on a sack celebration. The Stephen Tulloch comparison is just too easy, and too eerie, to make, but you can't help but feel transported to that injury with Hutchinson's happening amid a great year.
Let's dive into that injury, and five other takeaways from the Lions' win.
5 takeaways from Lions' huge win over Patriots in Munich
1. Jahmyr Gibbs needs more love for OPOY
I get it. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has been putting on an absolute clinic with the Seattle Seahawks this season, is an understandable frontrunner for the Offensive Player of the Year award. It's hard to argue with that when he's got 1,036 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 71 receptions this year, and we're nowhere near done with the season.
Gibbs, however, continues to keep pace with him in terms of being his teams' entire engine on offense. With a 153 rushing yard, 99 receiving yard, two touchdown performance, Gibbs planted his feet right back in the conversation next to, and potentially above, Smith-Njigba.
His two-way prowess is hard to ignore within Detroit's system, and quite frankly, it's obvious that the label for best player on the team overall is a tie between himself and Penei Sewell. Gibbs has to be a shoo-in for NFC Player of the Week for Week 10.
2. Aidan Hutchinson's injury highlighted Lions' newfound depth at the edge
Hutchinson went down early in this game - on the very first drive of the contest for the Patriots. So, we were exposed to the rest of the Lions' defensive line, and depth at edge rusher, for a majority of this win.
The result was four sacks (five, including Hutchinson's), and two from rookie edge rusher Derrick Moore. He has shown up and shown out over the Lions' last two games, and it's just another punch added to a room that's been held afloat by DJ Wonnum, Alim McNeill, and Skyler Gill-Howard.
The trade deadline has obviously come and gone, so the Lions will have to rely on their depth if Hutchinson is out for some time. So far, though, it's been clear that general manager Brad Holmes did a heck of a good job addressing their previous weakness here. It could pay off for them if Hutchinson's injury is really serious.
3. The Jared Goff-Sam LaPorta connection is...weird
Sam LaPorta has been weirdly iced out for much of this season, which is obviously leading to some speculation about the correlation between his play and his comments on his contract situation. In this game, though, the Lions were really trying to force some stuff to the tight end to get him going.
However, on four targets, he had just one reception for 16 yards. Goff repeatedly overshot him, and then LaPorta also couldn't hold on to a well-defended touchdown attempt. Their chemistry has felt off this year amid offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's usage of Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and even Isaac TeSlaa far more than his tight ends on offense. As blockers, they've been heavily involved, but not so much beyond that.
Is it time to panic about LaPorta? No. Again, Goff and him just haven't been in a groove yet this season, but you could've said the same about Goff and St. Brown prior to the receiver's two-touchdown morning. This offense is stacked, so one relationship that's off on the field won't kill their plans entirely.
4. Penei Sewell is the best athlete in the NFL
Speaking of Lions players that deserve a lot more love in conversations around end-of-year awards, Penei Sewell has really begun to hit his stride in his first year starting permanently at left tackle. In Week 10, he helped seal the victory with an incredible tight end-esque block downfield for Gibbs, who finished that run with a touchdown.
He's probably the most athletic lineman in the NFL, and I'd argue one of the best athletes in the league, period. The fact that so many articles as of late have not mentioned him as a favorite for the NFL's Protector of the Year award is ludicrous. His transition to left tackle leading to another All-Pro performance from him on the offensive line has to make him the frontrunner.
5. Detroit's defense remains a strength - but didn't face a very hard test
For another week, the Lions held their opponent to under 20 points. Their linebacker play has improved, and we know how incredible their defensive line has been on the year. Their cornerback room does remain a bit of a worry, though, especially when you see them still relying on Nick Whiteside for any big stops.
Still, they did a good job of not falling into a trap after Drake Maye went down on the Hutchinson sack. But, Maye being out also meant that the defense didn't get too much of a test against the fluke-meter. Shoutout to Roger McCreary, though, who netted a pick in this game.
I'm taking this win, heavily aided by the Lions' defense, as a good confidence builder for a unit that could be getting Kerby Joseph back this week. But, I'd love to see them do this against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving, for example.
And, I'm officially begging for more snaps to Keith Abney II at cornerback.
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