Jahmyr Gibbs is set to face the Chicago Bears for the first time in his NFL career. It could be a special Sunday for the Lions rookie running back.
Chicago’s run defense is very good. No team allows fewer yards per carry than the Bears and their 3.2 YPC figure. Over their last six games, the Bears allow under 50 yards per game on the ground.
However, teams that can throw the ball to their running backs have eaten the Bears alive. Chicago’s defense ranks at or very near the bottom in all of the following metrics:
- Receptions by RB (60) – 30th
- Receiving yards by RB (615) – 32nd
- Yards per reception (10.3) – 32nd
- Receiving TDs by RB (5) – 32nd
- Missed tackles on RBs as receivers (28) – 32nd
Safeties Elijah Hicks and Jaquan Brisker each struggle in coverage against both TEs and RBs, but it’s most pronounced with LB Tremaine Edmunds. He’s bad at covering RBs, allowing a completion percentage over 90 percent— but even worse at tackling them after the catch. Both Edmunds (15%) and Hicks (30%) have very high missed tackle rates in the passing game.
Now factor in the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs as one of the NFL’s most prolific receivers out of the backfield already. In seven games, Gibbs has caught 31 passes for 200 yards. Alvin Kamara of the Saints is the only RB who averages more catches per game than Gibbs.
Gibbs’ ability to quickly transition from receiver to runner should allow the rookie to capitalize on the receiving opportunities against Chicago. Gibbs has racked up 142 yards after the catch in the last three games on 17 receptions.
The Lions haven’t used Gibbs much outside of a safety outlet or a quick-hit target on designed short-yardage throws. He has seen scant action as a slot receiver, with just 17 snaps in his seven games. Those 142 yards after the catch are actually 12 more than the total receiving yards he’s gained.
Yet over the summer in training camp and joint practices, as well as in college at Alabama, Gibbs proved to be a very polished, dynamic route runner from the slot. He has enough receiving acumen to play outside WR, too. That’s something Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can lean on in Week 11 against the Bears and their revamped pass rush of late.
Chicago might be able to slow down Gibbs on the ground. But he’s an absolute mismatch for the Lions as a receiving threat. Just for good measure, fellow Lions RB David Montgomery and Craig Reynold are both excellent (albeit low-volume) receivers, too.
All statistical data courtesy of SIS Sports