The Detroit Lions (2-1) outlasted the New York Jets, 31-24, on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions saw a return to form offensively, led by a typically big day from star back Jahmyr Gibbs. Meanwhile, the defense continued to struggle until forcing a game-saving turnover on the Jets' final drive.
Here are the winners and losers from the Lions' Week 3 matchup:
Winner: Drew Petzing
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing called a fantastic game against the Jets, showing off all of the different weapons at his disposal.
Petzing's game script immediately got struggling receiver Jameson Williams involved with effect. He also got backup running back Sione Vaki involved in a way he hadn't been in the team's first two games.
The variety in the offense felt reminiscent of the Lions of 2024-25,
and despite another slow start, beat a solid defense in the process.
Loser: Jahmyr Gibbs
Just hear me out!
Yes, Jahmyr Gibbs had another milestone day on the stat sheet. However, some of the tape he put together should have future opponents for the Lions licking their chops.
The Lions' offense got off to a slow start, primarily due to a handful of blown protections for quarterback Jared Goff. Gibbs got beat on a couple of delayed blitz pickups dialed up by the Jets, putting Goff on the ground and stalling out those drives.
He had a similar miss later on a block that could have sprang Amon-Ra St. Brown for a touchdown. Gibbs improved down the stretch, and made the difference in this game as a playmaker, but defenses over the coming weeks may look at those plays as a formula for getting to Goff or keeping Gibbs off the field.
Winner: Sione Vaki
Backup running back Sione Vaki saw the biggest role of his career open up against the Jets.
Vaki picked up some of Gibbs' slack from the poor pass protection early on, and earned additional touches to make the most impact he's made on a game in his career. Vaki earned six carries for 26 yards plus an 11-yard catch.
Winner: DJ Wonnum
DJ Wonnum set the tone for the Lions' defense early, which didn't give up any points until the second quarter.
Wonnum recorded his first and second sacks of his Lions tenure against the Jets. On a defense that doesn't make many plays, those sacks made their mark on this game.
DJ Wonnum makes it back-to-back sacks for the Lions pic.twitter.com/aS1yBlpCs1
— The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) September 27, 2026
Loser: The secondary
Here we are again.
There were some glimpses of hope from backups Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Christian Izien. However, the Jets were down multiple pass-catchers in Adonai Mitchell and Mason Taylor and the Lions still allowed quarterback Geno Smith to throw all over the field on Sunday afternoon and have a chance to tie things late.
Smith finished 31 of 37 passing for 321 yards and three touchdowns.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' winners, losers from Detroit's Week 3 win vs New York Jets
