Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs passed Barry Sanders for the most scrimmage touchdowns before age 25 in NFL history on Sunday, scoring twice as Detroit routed the Arizona Cardinals 45-21 at Glendale.
Gibbs entered the Week 5 matchup with 56 career touchdowns - 44 rushing and 12 receiving. His three-yard scoring run at the 5:03 mark of the fourth quarter, his second touchdown of the game, was his 58th career scrimmage touchdown, moving him past Sanders' total of 57.
The record carries extra meaning for the 24-year-old: Gibbs grew up idolizing Sanders, a fellow Lion, and wore the number 20 - Sanders' number - while playing in junior high.
Statement win in the desert
Gibbs finished the game with 151 rushing yards on 25 carries, scoring on runs of one and three yards, and added 56 receiving yards. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 19 of 30 passes for three touchdowns and added a one-yard rushing score of his own, as Detroit converted all three of its fourth-down attempts into touchdowns.
The win lifted the Lions to 3-2 heading into their bye week, while the Cardinals fell to 1-4 with their ninth consecutive home loss.
Record chase ahead
Through five games, Gibbs has nine total touchdowns - seven rushing and two receiving - the most in the NFL. He has been openly chasing LaDainian Tomlinson's single-season rushing touchdown record of 28, set in 2006, and his early-season pace has put the mark firmly within reach.
Born on March 20, 2002, Gibbs turns 25 in March 2027, meaning the age-based record is now his outright. The record-breaking run capped a dominant afternoon for Detroit's offense and added another chapter to a season that is quickly becoming a defining one for the young star.
Sources:
ESPN - Lions RB Gibbs passes Sanders for most NFL TDs before age 25
Sportsnet (AP wire) - Goff, Gibbs lead Lions' offensive romp in win over Cardinals
Gibbs entered the Week 5 matchup with 56 career touchdowns - 44 rushing and 12 receiving. His three-yard scoring run at the 5:03 mark of the fourth quarter, his second touchdown of the game, was his 58th career scrimmage touchdown, moving him past Sanders' total of 57.
The record carries extra meaning for the 24-year-old: Gibbs grew up idolizing Sanders, a fellow Lion, and wore the number 20 - Sanders' number - while playing in junior high.
Statement win in the desert
Gibbs finished the game with 151 rushing yards on 25 carries, scoring on runs of one and three yards, and added 56 receiving yards. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 19 of 30 passes for three touchdowns and added a one-yard rushing score of his own, as Detroit converted all three of its fourth-down attempts into touchdowns.
The win lifted the Lions to 3-2 heading into their bye week, while the Cardinals fell to 1-4 with their ninth consecutive home loss.
Record chase ahead
Through five games, Gibbs has nine total touchdowns - seven rushing and two receiving - the most in the NFL. He has been openly chasing LaDainian Tomlinson's single-season rushing touchdown record of 28, set in 2006, and his early-season pace has put the mark firmly within reach.
Born on March 20, 2002, Gibbs turns 25 in March 2027, meaning the age-based record is now his outright. The record-breaking run capped a dominant afternoon for Detroit's offense and added another chapter to a season that is quickly becoming a defining one for the young star.
Sources:
ESPN - Lions RB Gibbs passes Sanders for most NFL TDs before age 25
Sportsnet (AP wire) - Goff, Gibbs lead Lions' offensive romp in win over Cardinals
