The Detroit Lions are walking on thin ice now after losing to the Steelers. As per The Athletic, they have a 6% chance of making the playoffs. While the team struggles collectively, Jahmyr Gibbs is still producing numbers at a very high level.
On Sunday, Gibbs recorded his 48th career touchdown against the Steelers. With that, he surpassed Barry Sanders, a Detroit Lions legend, in most touchdowns by a player in their first three seasons in the league’s history.
As always, Gibbs’ girlfriend, Nicole, was there to support him. She wore an oversized hoodie with Gibbs’ name and number printed on it to the stadium. When the running back surpassed Sanders, she recorded that moment on her phone and posted it on Instagram.
“Record breaker,” she wrote.
Moments later, she posted another video on her Instagram story, with the graphic the Lions showed at Ford Field.
“So proud of you,” Nicole wrote.
The Lions started slow against the Steelers, going scoreless in the first quarter. They bounced back and leveled the scoreboard 10-10 at halftime. But the inconsistency crept in again in the third and early in the fourth quarter.
It was a close game, but the Lions ended up losing 24-29. With their playoff hopes on the line, losing at home was the last thing they wanted. With that loss, they are now 8-7 in the NFC North and are watching their playoff chances slip away.
The Lions have two more games left against the Vikings and the Bears. Despite their poor record, the Vikings are currently on a three-game winning streak, whereas the Bears are the chart toppers in the NFC North with an 11-4 record. They can still make the playoffs as the 7th seed, but it’s not going to be easy.
Barry Sanders Congratulated Jahmyr Gibbs
Like a true franchise legend, Sanders immediately congratulated Gibbs for surpassing him in the NFL record books. While talking to ESPN, Sanders heaped praise on the running back and talked about how impressive the record is.
Sanders was blown away by Gibbs’ ability to capitalize on big moments despite being on a team with other strong offensive weapons.
“I am so happy for Jahmyr, and his teammates,” Sanders told ESPN. “It is really incredible when you think he was able to score so many times with so many other weapons on offense. AND he is not done yet I hope. It is a real testament to his ability to consistently create big plays.”
#Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs has passed Barry Sanders for most TDs (48) by a player in their first 3 seasons in NFL history.
Sanders to ESPN on Gibbs’ record-breaking start: “It is really incredible when you think he was able to score so many times with so many other weapons on offense.” pic.twitter.com/uOUr1LXwPL— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) December 22, 2025
The Lions will play the Vikings this Thursday at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
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