Film Review: Lions Vision for Montgomery, Gibbs Coming to Life

Why the Lions running backs had success Sunday.

The Detroit Lions had a distinct plan to utilize David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs within their offense heading into the 2023 season. 

After each dealt with injuries throughout the first half of the season, Week 10 offered a look at exactly what Dan Campbell and his offensive staff had in mind for the talented duo.

Montgomery led with 116 yards on just 12 carries, while Gibbs totaled 112 all-purpose yards between rushing and receiving. Together, the tandem produced three first half touchdowns. 

“This is part of the vision coming to life now. Those two back there, the two-headed monster, they both deliver something different and they’re both very unique and they’re dangerous," Campbell said. "Both of them. It’s good to see that Gibbs continues to grow and it’s great to have David back, he played at a high level. And then the O-line, man, really showed up today. It’s what we’ve talked about, playing physical, finishing, playing violent. Those guys were outstanding, in protection and in the run game.” 

Additionally, the Lions welcomed Jonah Jackson and Frank Ragnow back into the starting lineup. The offensive line was as healthy as its been since Week 1, and it showed in the team's performance. 

Here's a look at what made the Lions' run game so successful in the first half. 

Montgomery toss

The Lions benefitted greatly from the return of their two starting offensive linemen. On their second play from scrimmage, they show exactly why. 

Tight end Brock Wright pulling across the formation as the Lions zone block to the right. It's an inside zone play, designed for Montgomery to pick a hole on the right side without extending the run past his blockers. 

The entire right side of Detroit's offensive line makes headway, creating a wall for Montgomery. Glasgow and Penei Sewell set the edge with solid force, giving Montgomery room outside the hash mark. 

Ragnow, in particular, does an impressive job. He starts with a combo-block against the defensive tackle lined up across from him, driving the tackle into linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (9).

Additionally, Wright and Sam LaPorta do a solid job walling off talented edge rusher Joey Bosa. Montgomery barrels ahead into a linebacker for a solid gain.

Gibbs 35-yard run

Gibbs showed off his abilities against the Raiders on Monday Night Football, leading many to wonder what his role would be upon Montgomery's return from injury. 

On the first series, Gibbs got just one carry. However, this play was the highlight of the team's second series, where the rookie did the majority of the work. 

The Alabama product's open field speed is no secret, and he shows it off here. He takes a toss and quickly gets behind the convoy on the right side, which once again does an excellent job at the first level. 

His speed through the hole makes it difficult for opponents to have an angle at him. One defender flails on an arm tackle attempt, and Bosa can't catch up to the speedster. 

Once Gibbs cuts back, it becomes a footrace. He's got the angle on Asante Samuel Jr. and leverages it by quickly turning upfield. It becomes a race to the pylon, as he doesn't have any blockers on that side of the field. 

He narrowly misses scoring, as Alohi Gilman takes a good angle to keep the rookie out of the end zone. 

Jameson Williams 'Never Been Shy' Hitting Defender

Gibbs first touchdown

The Lions have struggled in the red zone this season. Their first drive Sunday also saw them have to settle for a field goal in this area after a penalty negated a Jameson Williams touchdown. 

After Gibbs had the big run, it's only right to let the rookie finish off the drive. This play comes on the next snap, as Detroit looks to use the edge to put six points on the board. 

Jonah Jackson is the difference maker. Detroit elects to pull him to the outside, using him as the lead blocker for the sweep. Malcolm Rodriguez, Detroit's linebacker turned fullback, also plays a big role as he cuts Joey Bosa to establish the edge. 

With Bosa out of the play and Antoine Green handling a linebacker, Jackson takes care of cornerback Michael Davis (43) and Gibbs walks into the end zone. 

Montgomery fourth down conversion

This play is the first of five fourth down conversion attempts for Detroit on the afternoon and one of two on this first quarter drive. 

Facing a fourth-and-5, the Lions spread out the Chargers defense. The situation calls for a pass play, but Ben Johnson catches Los Angeles off guard with an inside trap. 

Jackson is the pulling guard tasked with blocking defensive tackle Morgan Fox. He has to go across the formation because right guard Graham Glasgow leaves him unblocked in order to block the play-side linebacker. 

Montgomery hits his landmark on the outside shoulder of Jackson and turns upfield behind his blocker. He runs into a defender right near the first-down marker before getting an extra push from Ragnow and LaPorta to get the necessary yardage and move the chains. 

Gibbs 24-yard screen pass

The Lions once again utilize Gibbs' skill set, this time as a receiver. His elusiveness and speed lend itself to being very useful on screen plays like this. 

Because the Lions are looking to block downfield, only Taylor Decker stays in to protect the left side after the snap. He handles Khalil Mack just long enough for Goff to get the ball to Gibbs. 

Defensive tackle Nick Williams is too far upfield to have any chance at making the play, and Ragnow and Jackson team up to handle Murray. This gives Gibbs all the advantage he needs. 

Glasgow has a good downfield block on James, which gives the rookie even more space to accelerate. Meanwhile, Sewell and Rodriguez continue to block downfield. 

Eventually, Gibbs outruns his blockers and two Chargers defenders are in good position to make the play. Regardless, the amount of downfield blocking on this play is impressive.

Montgomery TD

On their longest play of the game, the Detroit Lions had the wrong personnel on the field. 

After allowing a touchdown to the Chargers, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson called a play designed for the Lions to have two tight ends on the field. After calling it in the huddle, Jared Goff realized that he needed to make a change.

Thanks to fortuitous communication from Johnson in his headset, a run play was provided as an audible. 

“Every once in a while that happens, where we end up with the wrong personnel on the field and the certain play we called, we really can’t run out of that personnel. I knew it was wrong when we broke the huddle, I should’ve realized it more in the huddle," Goff said. "Once we broke the huddle and got lined up, I realized it was wrong. Ben, in my headset, ‘Hey, get to the run,’ we ended up getting to. We were laughing about it, you do all this planning throughout the week, Monday through Saturday for what you want to do and make everything perfect and then we basically mess it up and it’s a 75-yard touchdown. It’s a credit to a good team. We adjust and kinda make adjustments on the fly like that.”

The results were sparkling. Montgomery bursts through the middle of the field and gains 15, then shakes the unblocked safety while getting help from Jameson Williams to evade a would-be tackler. 

At that point, it becomes Montgomery and Williams against two defenders with realistic chances to make the play. Montgomery outruns Derwin James (3) and gets a block from Williams on Asante Samuel Jr. (26). 

Once that happens, all that's left for the running back is to stay in bounds, which he does with an impressive tightrope act along the sideline as he races for the end zone.