Arguably the best two running backs in the NFL will square off against one another in Week 13 of the 2026 regular season.
When the Detroit Lions travel down south to take on the Atlanta Falcons in early December, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be pitted against Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson.
And while they of course won’t be sharing the field at any point in the matchup (we think), it’ll be an excellent opportunity to watch two of the NFL’s most exciting backfield talents in the same game, health permitting.
It'll also be Gibbs' first opportunity to play in his home state of Georgia as a pro.
Gibbs' homecoming is just one layer to fun battle down south for Lions
The pair of 2023 first-round picks (Robinson eighth overall, Gibbs 12th) have taken the NFL by storm since their rookie seasons.Â
Robinson has amassed 3,910 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in his career, along with 1,738 receiving yards and nine scores. His 5,605 scrimmage yards are the most by a player before turning 24 in NFL history.
His 2,255 scrimmage yards in 2025 broke a Falcons franchise record on his way to a first-team All-Pro selection. He broke off a 93-yard touchdown run in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams that stands as the longest rush in franchise history.
Gibbs no introduction, but let’s run through some accolades for the fun of it: He’s rushed for 3,580 yards and 39 touchdowns in his three-year career, along with 1,449 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
In 2024 he became the first player in NFL history to produce 70-plus scrimmage yards in 17 straight games. That same year, he set an NFL record for most consecutive games with at least 5.0 yards per carry with seven, and also holds the NFL record for the most touchdowns scored by a player in his first three seasons.
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So if they’re both on the field in Week 13, it could make for some real fireworks.
Last year, Atlanta was 27th in the NFL in estimated points allowed per rush with 0.02. The Lions ranked 17th at -0.01.
Detroit has moved on from elite run stuffer D.J. Reader and is passing the torch to 2025 first-rounder Tyleik Williams. The Lions also lost stalwart linebacker Alex Anzalone in free agency, but do return the services of elite inside linebacker Jack Campbell and one of the league’s best edge setters in Aidan Hutchinson.
Atlanta’s run defense took a hit when leading tackler Kaden Eliss returned to the rival New Orleans Saints in free agency.
Both players can make a real claim for the title of best running back in football, and that’s been a subject of debate, as well as which one to pick No. 1 overall in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
They haven’t said much publicly about each other, but there’s a cool clip out there from last season’s Pro Bowl where Robinson and Gibbs discuss how they make their reads out of the backfield.
We could be in for a very entertaining Week 13 matchup in the A.
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