By Moses Joshua 
Detroit crowns its rising star after an unforgettable Week 12 thriller
The Detroit Lions walked off their home field on Sunday with a surge of momentum — and it was fueled almost entirely by the electric play of Jahmyr Gibbs. In a game where Detroit never held a lead in regulation, the second-year running back delivered one of the most explosive individual performances in franchise history, punctuating it with a walk-off touchdown that shook Ford Field.
Following the win, the Lions made it official: Jahmyr Gibbs has been named Detroit’s Player of the Game, a recognition that felt inevitable after his historic outing.
A Walk-Off Run That Saved Detroit’s Season
Detroit entered overtime tied 27-27 with the New York Giants and in desperate need of a spark. They got something much bigger.
On the first offensive play of OT, Gibbs found a crease, hit the edge, and tore down the field for a 69-yard game-winning touchdown, sealing a 34-27 victory and propelling the Lions to a crucial 7-4 record.
Gibbs finished the day with a jaw-dropping 264 yards from scrimmage — including 219 rushing yards on just 15 carries — and three total touchdowns. He added 11 receptions for 45 yards, proving once again that he’s one of the most versatile weapons in the NFL.
Detroit’s win allowed them to keep pace with the division-leading Bears (8-3) and the second-place Packers (7-3-1) as the NFC North race tightens.
Dan Campbell: “He’s a Difference-Maker… He Bailed Us Out Today”
Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t hold back in praising his young star after the game, highlighting both Gibbs’ playmaking ability and the team effort behind his explosive runs.
“He’s electric, you know, and he’s a game-changer,” Campbell said. The coach credited the offensive line and the receivers for clearing lanes, adding, “You don’t get those knockout runs unless your receivers are blocking.”
But Campbell made it clear: Gibbs was the catalyst.
“Gibbs, he’s electric. And when he found a crease, he was going to the house… He’s got vision. He’s a difference-maker. He bailed us out today in a big way.”
For a Lions team battling for playoff positioning, the performance couldn’t have come at a better time.
Gibbs Sends a Message to Lions Fans: “Let’s Go Lions”
Before even leaving the field, Gibbs hopped on social media to speak directly to Detroit fans.
“You know how we do in the den… Everybody came out, they showed out, showed love. Let’s go Lions,” he said in a video shared on the team’s official feed.
Later, he broke down his game-winning run in the postgame press conference.
“They brought pressure into the run… Everybody just did a great job picking it up like it was nothing, and after that it was just [whoosh].”
That burst — the one that has become his signature — has him on pace for yet another Pro Bowl season. Gibbs now sits at 951 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 379 receiving yards with three more scores through the air.
Looking Ahead: A Thanksgiving Showdown With Major Divisional Stakes
Detroit now prepares for a short week before hosting Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day — a rematch of the Packers’ 27-13 win over the Lions in Week 1.
With the Bears traveling to Philadelphia on Friday, the Thanksgiving game could determine which team moves into second place in the NFC North.
One thing’s certain:
If the Lions keep feeding Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit’s postseason hopes look brighter than ever.