Jahmyr Gibbs Chasing All-Time Touchdowns Record

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is chasing history.

Gibbs had two touchdowns in the Lions’ 45–21 win over the Arizona Cardinals Sunday and is eyeing the single-season touchdown record.

Asked on Sunday whether he is chasing the record, Gibbs said, “Yeah, I’m trying to get that.”

Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson holds the record for most touchdowns in a single season with 31, set with the San Diego Chargers in 2006; the same year, he set the record for rushing touchdowns with 28.

Over five games, Gibbs has 7 rushing TDs and 2 passing TDs, averaging 1.8 TDs per game; extrapolating that to 17 games, he would finish with 30.6 TDs, roughly tying the record. He’s unlikely to break the rushing TDs record unless he picks up the pace: his 7 scores on the ground average out to 1.4 per game; he would finish with 23.8.

Gibbs scored two TDs on Sunday, both from just outside the goal line. He had a chance for a third: at the end of the third quarter on 2nd and goal, he ran to the right side but was stopped for no gain. On the next play, quarterback Jared Goff ran a sneak up the middle for a score.

Gibbs said he thought his knee was down short of the goal line, and then he stretched out for the end zone, but he wasn’t sure. In any case, he said he needs to get better at stretching out before he touches the ground.

A reporter asked him whether he thought Goff poached the third score, but he said no.

“He got it. I let him do him,” Gibbs said.

According to the TV broadcast, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing apologized after the offense went back to the sideline.

Gibbs confirmed Petzing apologized, but said he wasn’t overly upset because the offense still got the points and then scored on the next possession.

His two touchdowns brought his career total to 57, breaking the league record for the most touchdowns by a player under 25. Hall of Famer and Lions legend Barry Sanders previously held the record.

Sanders and Gibbs have spoken highly of each other. Gibbs says he looks up to the legend.

“Every time he’s here, I’ve got to step up my game, shine a little bit,” Gibbs said Sept. 27 after their win over the New York Jets. “To be in the same conversation as him is just humbling. I’m blessed to be in it. Somebody I’ve looked up to for a long time.”

Gibbs was impressed with the offense’s overall performance, especially after struggling out of the gate in the first four weeks of the season.

“I think we did a way better job at starting off fast,” he said. “I know the first series, I think three-and-out, but after that I think we scored every other time. So we did a good job of it.”

He was also asked how he feels, given the hard cuts and other athletic feats he performs game to game.

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “Line’s doing a great job blocking, receivers too, downfield. They make my job easier. I just try to handle with the pieces left over.”

Gibbs and the Lions take on the division rival Green Bay Packers next Sunday.