Jahmyr Gibbs remains a powerhouse in the NFL, and the obvious top running back in the NFC North. Even with the return of Josh Jacobs to the Green Bay Packers, with Aaron Jones holding things down for the Minnesota Vikings' ground game, and D'Andre Swift taking advantage of a revitalized Chicago Bears offensive line, Gibbs is just the speedier, more elusive man to beat in these rankings.
The one person that can hold Gibbs back? Gibbs.
He's currently 3rd in the league in carries which, if you've read anything on SideLion Report recently, you'd know already. We've been banging the drum for the Lions to bring him some extra help before Isiah Pacheco returns at the end of this year, especially if Detroit wants to continue to run him up the gut of the Lions' offensive line.
His body, while currently holding up, can't be expected to shoulder this work load through a postseason run, let alone an arduous NFC North battle.
NFC North RB rankings show Lions at the top (as long as they get reinforcements)
4. Josh Jacobs
Jacobs returned from the commissioner's exempt list to a completely flat Packers run game. He's expected to help them return to form on that front - and he did have one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers - but, it's tough to root for him when he's celebrating a score by pretending to have handcuffs on.
This, following his arrest for domestic violence, is not endearing in the slightest. It also makes you appreciate the Lions' swift action with Terrion Arnold this past offseason.
3. Aaron Jones
This is not meant to be a knock on Jones, who has had a very productive season for the Vikings so far - in fact, I'd argue he's the most effective piece of their offense so far this year. With a lack of a passing game, their ground game has kept them scoring, and Jones is a big part of that with his two rushing touchdowns already on the year.
He does get a knock, unfortunately, as he's just slightly behind Swift in rushing success rate at 37.14 percent. Still, he's done a good job of being the bell cow for Minnesota's understated offense so far this year.
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2. D'Andre Swift/Kyle Monangai
We'll highlight the Bears' running back room here, as they've really been a two-headed force this season. Swift is 6th in carries this season so far, posting an impressive rushing success rate of 39.66 over that span. He's got 476 rushing yards on the season, and he has certainly helped Chicago be able to balance out their high-octane passing offense with some carries for him.
With Monangai, you get an effective total EPA - he ranks fifth in that metric with a 6.34 total EPA. He's been a very nice added punch to the Bears' run game, and to an offense that really isn't owed any favors. The fact that the team has two running backs that can go off for about 100 yards per game each is very Sonic and Knuckes coded.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs
Since some garbage time carries for Sione Vaki back in the Lions' Week 5 win against the Arizona Cardinals, the Lions have given basically every single carry to Gibbs. This is both a nod to Gibbs' work this season, but also a sign of the lack of help the Lions have behind Gibbs. It hasn't necessarily hurt them yet to have traded David Montgomery away, but when you look at the success that Chicago is having with Swift and Monangai, you miss that one-two punch in the backfield just a bit.
Another knock on this game plan from the Lions is the stuff rate they're posting so far this year. It sits at 20.9 percent, which is pretty high for a team with a running back who's success rate is 49.25 percent.
Gibbs is still the top running back in the division by far because of the threat he poses in the open field, his steady improvement as a pass-blocker, and with the level to which teams game plan around him on defense. But, the Lions should be looking to get him some more viable backup help.
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