By Sunday 
If you thought Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery were done turning heads—think again. The Detroit Lions’ backfield blitz just got top billing across the entire NFL, and fans in the Motor City should be revving their engines for another thrilling season.
Gibbs + Montgomery = Backfield Royalty
Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Lions running back duo of Gibbs and Montgomery ranks No. 1 among all RB pairings heading into the 2025 NFL season. That’s not just hype—it’s hard data. Together in 2024, the pair combined for a jaw-dropping 2,199 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. That’s not a one-two punch—it’s a full-on haymaker to opposing defenses.
What’s even more impressive? Both backs ranked in the top 20 in average rushing yards after contact, a stat that highlights their grit and ability to keep drives alive even when the blocking isn’t perfect. Gibbs averaged 3.3 yards after contact (12th overall), and Montgomery wasn’t far behind with 3.1 (20th).
Building on Success with a New Voice
With former Georgia Tech star Tashard Choice stepping in as running backs coach, expectations are high—but the foundation is solid. Head coach Dan Campbell and new offensive coordinator John Morton will rely on Gibbs and Montgomery to keep the engine running in what was already the NFL’s highest-scoring offense in 2024.
Detroit finished a league-best 51.6% of their drives with points—either a touchdown or a field goal. That’s the kind of stat that wins games, and the RB duo was a huge reason why.
Don’t Sleep on the Hands
Let’s not forget—this duo isn’t just lethal on the ground. In the passing game, they’ve been quietly elite. According to PFF, Gibbs averaged 1.65 receiving yards per route run, good enough for third among all RBs, while Montgomery averaged 2.12, leading the entire league at the position.
Both players also made PFF’s top-10 overall grades for running backs in 2024—Gibbs landed at No. 6 with a 90.1, and Montgomery rounded out the list at No. 10 with an 85.9.
The Bottom Line: Get Ready, NFL
This isn’t just hype. This is a warning shot to the rest of the league: the Lions aren’t slowing down, and neither are their running backs. As long as Gibbs and Montgomery are healthy and humming, Detroit’s backfield might just be the most dangerous spot on the field.