The Detroit Lions started off Week 14 with a huge 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys. This game was big in terms of playoff positioning and gives Detroit an edge. Considering the Lions are in an ultra-competitive division with the Bears and Packers, who both look like they'll make the playoffs, there isn't room for error.
The Lions still have to face the Rams, Steelers, Vikings, and Bears to close out the season, but they need to continue using Jahmyr Gibbs as much as possible moving forward, much like they did in the win over the Cowboys.
And that's to continue featuring Gibbs as a pass catcher and take full advantage of everything he brings to the offense.
Lions Must Continue Leaning on Jahmyr Gibbs
In the win over the Cowboys, Gibbs had just 43 rushing yards (3.6 yards per carry) with three rushing scores. Meanwhile, as a receiver, he had seven catches for 77 receiving yards. The Lions have used Gibbs out of the slot in at least four snaps in the past four weeks, and it has resulted in some positive plays for them.
Although Gibbs is a running back, he has natural hands as a receiver and is dynamic when out in space. There were concerns that Amon-Ra St. Brown wouldn't play in this game after not practicing due to an ankle injury, but he found a way to play in 57 offensive snaps.
His presence clearly benefited the passing attack, but the Lions made an effort to get the ball into Gibbs' hands as much as possible. And with every regular-season game left feeling like a playoff game, the Lions must continue the effort to get him the ball, especially as a receiver.
He's third in the NFL in receiving yards (474) among running backs, only trailing Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson. And ever since Dan Campbell took over as the play caller in Week 10, Gibbs has seen at least seven targets in three games.
Compared to when John Morton was calling plays from Weeks 1-9, Gibbs saw more than five targets just twice. But with Sam LaPorta out for the season with a back injury, and St. Brown still nursing an ankle injury, the Lions would be wise to lean on Gibbs more.
He has secure hands with outstanding speed to take advantage of linebackers and safeties in coverage. Gibbs even made Dallas cornerback Da'Ron Bland look silly and juked him out of bounds.
That kind of skillset is rare and the Lions need to lean on him even more to give their offense the best chance to continue its success to close out the year.