Detroit Lions fans, get ready—Jahmyr Gibbs has just sent a statement across the NFL, and it’s one that no one can ignore. The 22-year-old running back earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his jaw-dropping performance in Week 10, rushing for 142 yards, catching three passes for 30 yards, and totaling 172 yards from scrimmage, along with three touchdowns—two on the ground and one in the air. It was a performance that had fans, analysts, and even critics saying one thing:
In a season full of ups and downs for the Lions’ offense, Gibbs’ breakout game was a reminder of the power he holds in his legs and hands. With new play-calling duties under head coach Dan Campbell, Gibbs responded in the most dramatic way possible, proving that his Week 9 slump against the Vikings was just a temporary setback.
“The field is my canvas, and I paint it with every step, every rush. I’m just getting started—this is only the beginning.” — Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs’ mindset is clear: he’s not just playing to win games; he’s playing to make a statement. After securing his second NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor, following a similarly strong performance last season, Gibbs showed why he’s one of the most exciting young talents in the NFL. With 172 total yards and three touchdowns, his performance left no room for doubt—he’s a force to be reckoned with.
From Struggles to Triumph: A Remarkable Turnaround
This was a night of redemption for Gibbs, who had been struggling in the previous week. Coming off a dismal 28-yard game against the Minnesota Vikings, which led to head coach Campbell taking over play-calling duties, Gibbs knew he needed to come back strong. And come back strong he did. This Week 10 performance wasn’t just a win—it was a statement of determination, grit, and talent.
The big question now: Can Gibbs keep this up? With the Eagles coming up next on the Lions’ schedule, Gibbs will face another major test. The Eagles’ defense, though not as dominant as last season, still ranks 19th in rushing yards allowed per game and has yet to let any player rush for over 100 yards this year. But if anyone can break through, it’s Gibbs.
A New Chapter for the Lions’ Run Game
What made Gibbs’ performance even more impressive was the synergy between him and fellow running back David Montgomery. Together, they’re quickly becoming one of the most dynamic backfield duos in the NFL, offering both power and speed. If they can continue to click under Campbell’s guidance, the Lions’ offense might just be ready to make a deep postseason run.
Gibbs’ performance isn’t just good for the Lions; it’s good for the entire NFL. His play represents the evolution of what the modern running back can be: versatile, explosive, and able to take over a game in multiple ways.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Greatness
Jahmyr Gibbs is clearly on a mission, and his journey has only just begun. With his performance in Week 10, he’s proven that he can handle the pressure of being a featured back in the NFL.
The Lions are on the rise, and Gibbs is leading the charge. As the season progresses, one thing is certain—Jahmyr Gibbs is a player to watch, and this could be the year he cements himself as one of the NFL’s premier running backs.
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – The Atlanta Falcons are fighting desperately to get their season back on track after dropping their fourth-straight game in Week 10. One major reason for that is their inability to get wide receiver Darnell Mooney going, and Falcons head coach Raheem Morris had an eye-opening admission about why that may be the case.
After a breakout 2024 season where he caught 64 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns, Mooney has struggled to recapture that form in 2025.
Through 10 weeks and six full games played, the veteran has struggled, notching just 13 receptions (35 targets) for 190 yards. Of the players who have run at least 200 routes, no one in the NFL has a lower catch rate than Mooney (37.1%).
Injuries, drops, and a general lack of cohesion with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. have derailed his season. The Falcons’ deep threat has not been able to fill that role in 2025
.
Morris has been asked several times about what has slowed the progression of their connection, dating back to the initial injury he picked up during training camp. No clear injury update was provided, aside from Mooney missing a “few weeks,” but the head coach gave some insight into why the injury has seemed to linger over this season.
During his weekly interview with Dukes & Bell on the Falcons’ flagship station, 92.9 The Game, Morris finally provided the answer to why Mooney missed the time he did over the summer.
“He’s been coming up to speed, which I love,” Morris said during this interview. To which Carl Dukes pressed the Falcons’ head coach on what can be expected of the wideout moving forward.
“You don’t make excuses, you never talk about these things, but we knew how this would work,” Morris said before making the shocking admission that had not been known before.
“Mooney broke his collarbone on the first play of training camp,” the Falcons head coach said. “He missed all that time and came back the second week of the season. That was the first time they [Mooney and Penix] actually practiced together. You start working those practices, you knew the four weeks of the season would almost be like training camp for him.
“So you’re working those things in, you’re getting him going, you’re getting his legs back, and running fast, all those things. Then he had the small setback with the hamstring, and he misses the two weeks.”
Injuries have piled up – first the collarbone in July, then the hamstring setback that cost him more time in the fall.
Despite the ailments that have slowed his season, the Falcons’ staff is still confident he can get going in the season’s second half.
“I anticipate Mooney kind of taking off from here,” offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said on October 29th. “He’s finally getting his legs back. Obviously, we know what he can do at a high level. Had a great season last year. Just the training camp, missing that, and then kind of getting back into the flow, getting his legs back, getting the hammy back, all those things. So, I anticipate Mooney taking a big jump from this point forward.”
The Falcons’ play-caller doubled down on that statement on Wednesday, saying he’s “so close to breaking out.”
Whether or not he can show some improvement down the stretch of the season remains to be seen. His next opportunity will be this Sunday in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers.
However, what doesn’t make sense is why the Falcons didn’t push to acquire more players to prevent the situation the team now finds itself in. This injury takes several weeks to months to recover from. Morris then acknowledged there would be an additional ramp-up period.
Veteran D.J. Chark Jr. was the only significant addition after the injury, but he was cut just a few weeks later. The Falcons have since leaned on a now-released Ray-Ray McCloud, David Sills V, and Casey Washington to be the secondary option for Drake London in the wide receiver room.
And their production has not been nearly enough to support a young quarterback who is in the early phases of his development. London has 53 receptions for 691 yards and six touchdowns this season, while the other wideouts (including McCloud) on this roster have
The Falcons took a risk, and it burned them.
With eight games left, Mooney is finally healthy. Now, the Falcons need that long-awaited connection with Penix to materialize before the season is lost entirely.