Jahmyr Gibbs accounted for three second-half touchdowns as the Detroit Lions held off the New York Jets, 31-24, in Week 3, with Chuck Clark’s late strip-sack of Geno Smith ending New York’s final scoring threat.
Key takeaways
- Gibbs piled up 164 yards from scrimmage, rushing 20 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns while adding seven receptions for 65 yards and the deciding score.
- Smith completed 31 of 37 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns, but his fumble on Detroit’s late blitz proved decisive.
- Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq posted seven catches, 105 receiving yards and his first NFL touchdown for the Jets.
- Detroit has topped 30 points in each of its first three games and scored on five of six possessions after halftime against New York.
- Gibbs moved past Billy Sims for second place on the Lions’ all-time rushing-touchdown list, reaching 43 career rushing scores.
Gibbs drives Detroit’s third straight 30-point performance
The Lions trailed early but took control with an offense that consistently found answers after the opening quarter. Gibbs was the centerpiece, mixing explosive runs on the perimeter with tough work in short-yardage situations and repeatedly creating problems for New York’s linebackers as a receiver.
His first touchdown of the second half came on a 17-yard run that cut back against the flow of the defense. He later added another rushing touchdown before catching the game-winning score. Detroit did not suffer a three-and-out during the game and continued its season-opening offensive surge by reaching at least 30 points for the third consecutive week.
Quarterback Jared Goff was especially effective when the Jets brought pressure. New York blitzed on 44.4 percent of his dropbacks, but Goff went 14-for-14 for 148 yards and a touchdown against extra rushers. He also completed 11 of 13 play-action throws for 181 yards.
Gibbs’ two rushing scores gave him 43 for his career, moving him ahead of Sims’ 42 and leaving him behind only Barry Sanders, who recorded 99 rushing touchdowns for Detroit. The 24-year-old also registered his fifth career game with at least three touchdowns, matching Jim Brown and Todd Gurley for the most such games by a player before age 25.
His seven career outings with at least 150 scrimmage yards and multiple scrimmage touchdowns rank behind only Brown, Sanders and Walter Payton among players younger than 25.
Jets rally falls short as Detroit delivers late pressure
New York’s offense struggled to settle in, going three-and-out on two of its first three possessions as sacks disrupted the early operation. Smith recovered to lead an efficient passing attack, showing poise in the pocket and taking hits while delivering throws into Detroit’s secondary.
Sadiq became one of Smith’s most reliable options. The rookie tight end found room against linebackers, made difficult catches and turned in the strongest receiving performance of his young career. The Jets erased a 14-0 deficit and tied the game late after their offensive line improved its protection in the second half.
Detroit’s defense had trouble containing New York for much of the final two quarters, particularly in the secondary. Garrett Wilson created favorable matchups against former Jets cornerback D.J. Reed, who was targeted repeatedly and drew multiple pass-interference penalties.
But the Lions finally produced the stop they needed when defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard sent a pressure package that confused New York’s protection. Clark broke free to sack Smith and force the fumble, sealing Detroit’s victory before the Jets could mount another scoring drive.
Elsewhere in the early Sunday window, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16, the Cleveland Browns beat the Carolina Panthers 21-18, and the Indianapolis Colts edged the Houston Texans 19-17. The Jacksonville Jaguars routed the New England Patriots 35-6, the Kansas City Chiefs handled the Miami Dolphins 24-10, the New York Giants beat the Tennessee Titans 12-7, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27, and the Washington Commanders outlasted the Seattle Seahawks 33-31.
Sunday’s later schedule includes the Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys, and the Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos on Sunday night.
