The Detroit Lions have enjoyed a fantastic season in 2026 on offense, but on the road in Week 9, they hit a few notable potholes against a very tough Miami Dolphins squad.
While the Lions were able to win the game fairly comfortably 19-9, their offense didn't light up the scoreboard or stat sheet like they had been used to doing. The Lions only put up 270 total yards and scored one touchdown while relying on their defense and the leg of Jake Bates to carry them through.
Even though it was a slow day for plenty of Detroit's usual top weapons, arguably their best player showed up in the biggest way. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs put together a fantastic game, rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown. With the score, Gibbs made more history. He's now the first player in Lions history to score 11 or more touchdowns in four straight seasons.
.@Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs is the first player in franchise history to produce 11+ TDs in four-straight seasons.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/U9ZFrT7gav
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) November 8, 2026
At this point, it feels as if Gibbs should be an easy choice for NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Every week, it seems he is piling up a new historical stat while looking like arguably the best player on the field at his position. The fact that he is making franchise history along the way should only help to prove his case league wide.
Gibbs was the best player on the field against Miami, and Drew Petzing was smart to ride him most of the afternoon on a day where the offensive line struggled and Jared Goff wasn't having his best performance. Gibbs helped rescued Detroit in this game, which could be his best feat of the season thus far.
Gibbs showed Lions can always rely on him even when times are tough
Having a player like Gibbs at the disposal is not something Lions fans should take lightly. It wasn't that long ago the franchise would routinely struggle to put together 100 yard rushing games. Now, Gibbs helps to crack that total on his own by the week.
No matter what style of play the Lions need, Gibbs has been able to deliver. He can win high scoring track meet style games where explosion is necessary, and he is also capable of slowing things down to help Detroit grind out a win when times are tougher. It's not easy to change the pace so effortlessly and still pile up the stats, but that's what Gibbs can do well.
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The fact that Gibbs was able to have the lone score on a day where points were at a primium shows how vital his contributions are for the Lions. Subtract him from the equation, and Detroit's offense would be far less deadly and well balanced. They would even struggle to put up points in games where all of the other playmakers are taken away.
Watch for Gibbs to continue to pile up the history as the weeks continue. The fact he is dominating statistically on a regular basis and looking like an MVP along the way should only prove why he's looking like a shoo-in for Offensive Player of the Year honors.
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