In 2020, Derrick Henry was trying to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season NFL rushing record.
In his Tennessee Titans' final game of the regular season, Henry had 34 carries for 250 yards, coming up 78 short of Dickerson.
A week later, the AFC South-winning Titans lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 20-13, in a wild-card playoff game. Henry rushed for a season-low 40 yards on 18 carries. He was ineffective when his team needed him most, and he didn’t run with the same punishing power.
I thought about Henry's chase of personal glory potentially costing the Titans after Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs recently admitted he wants to break LaDainian Tomlinson’s 2006 NFL record of 31 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns.He entered the Lions bye
week at nine (seven rushing, two receiving) in five games, putting him on pace for 30 or 31 over a full 17 games.
As the Lions end their break this week, Gibbs was at the top of my mind for post-bye goals key players, coaches and executives during the final 12 regular-season games.
In Gibbs’ case, LT’s TD record should have absolutely no bearing on his motivation and the Lions’ game plan. As we saw with Henry, chasing personal records is an artificial construct that can be a detriment to the team.
Yes, players are human and play with emotion, and most love leaning on any extra motivation – respect, disrespect, glory – that gives them an edge.
But Gibbs is too important to risk by overusing him in pursuit of a record. After quarterback Jared Goff, Gibbs is by far the most important player on the team. Lose Gibbs and the Lions’ season is cooked.
Lest you think I’m exaggerating this concern, don’t forget coach Dan Campbell’s reaction during his most recent news conference when he was asked about his decision to play starters until the penultimate drive in a 45-21 rout of Arizona.
He didn’t like the question. He pretended to wilt at the lectern and said he was worried about pulling starters too early and then having to reinsert them.
Campbell just needs to say this: “Listen up, men! If we go up by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, I’m pulling some of you. But you get paid for play 60 minutes, so stay ready for 60 minutes in case you have to go back in.”
You’re welcome, coach. You can Venmo me my consultant’s fee.
With that, here are my post-bye goals for other key Lions.
Dan Campbell
The Lions coach found a way to get more out of his players, and his defense, in a resounding win at Arizona that bought him and his team a little breathing room.
Campbell’s new challenge will be to find a way to keep emphasizing the importance of details and consistency to his players while keeping his message fresh over the next three months.
It won’t be easy. Campbell doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room, with only two absolute cupcakes – the Miami Dolphins in Week 9 and the Titans in Week 14 – left on the schedule.
He also needs to keep a close eye on the defense and can’t hesitate to demote coordinator Kelvin Sheppard if things start going sideways.
Kelvin Sheppard
Speaking of, the embattled defensive coordinator also bought himself some time with a much better effort against Arizona’s middling offense.
Sheppard is fortunate that, as the rankings look now, he won’t face a top-10 scoring offense the rest of the season. That doesn’t mean he won’t contend with potent offenses, so he’ll still have a lot on his plate.
Switching up players and the scheme worked in Arizona, so Sheppard has to figure out if he sticks to more man coverage or changes the plan to fit each opponent.
Since I gave Campbell a tip, here’s one for Sheppard: Carry yourself like a head coach at your next news conference. Don’t get into arguments with reporters. Rise above that. You can answer questions with conviction, but avoid conflict. It will serve you well if you interview for a move to the next level.
Jared Goff
If the Lions had a better record, he would probably be getting more attention as an MVP candidate. He has been nearly flawless, with 1,485 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and no interceptions. The truth is, he pretty much has to remain flawless because the offense has to carry the defense. No disrespect intended, of course. And no presh, J.G.
Aidan Hutchinson
Do. Not. Get. Hurt.
Alim McNeil
Same.
Brian Branch
The former Pro Bowl safety should return soon from an Achilles tendon injury and needs to return to his old dynamic, instinctive self, like he was when he racked up seven interceptions and two forced fumbles in his first two seasons. The Lions’ seven takeaways this season, meanwhile, were tied for seventh fewest after Week 5.
If there’s one unit that will scuttle the Lions’ season, it’s the secondary. And if there’s one player who can help that unit, it’s Branch.
Brad Holmes
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10, just a little more than three weeks away. At that time, the Lions should be coming off a rout of the Dolphins with nine games to go.
The Lions' GM has never made a big move at the deadline, but this might be the season he considers changing that and adding either a cornerback or safety to help the secondary.
That would likely cost him one of his precious diamond-encrusted, gold-plated draft picks. But if he does nothing to help the secondary and it ends up being the reason the Lions miss the playoffs for a second straight year, Holmes’ infamous “we like the guys we have” quote in September might go from being a punchline to, ultimately, a career epitaph.
Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on X @cmonarrez.
Next up: Packers
Matchup: Lions (3-2) vs. Green Bay (3-2).
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25; Ford Field, Detroit.
TV/radio: Fox; WXYT-FM (97.1).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Locking in on glory for Jahmyr Gibbs would be too costly for Lions
