Why Seattle Needs to Worry about Jahmyr Gibbs

Read more on why the Seahawks need to worry about Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Jahmyr Gibbs has a chance to break out in his second game as a pro Sunday against the Seahawks. 

In Detroit's opener Thursday against the Chiefs, the rookie back logged just 19 snaps – 27 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Yet, he still managed to be highly productive. 

In fact, the Alabama product rushed seven times for 42 yards (6.0 yards/carry), and produced two receptions for an additional 18 yards. 

Additionally, per Pro Football Focus, among all the league's running backs, he forced the most missed tackles in Week 1 (six). 

For his efforts against the Chiefs, the former Crimson Tide back was also the second-highest-graded Lions player for the week. He earned a 78.8 overall mark from PFF (the third-best grade for a back in Week 1).

Despite receiving a limited number of reps, Gibbs made the most of his NFL debut, and showcased just how explosive he can be when he touches the ball.

Detroit offensive line coach Hank Fraley was pleased with the performance of Gibbs and his backfield mate, David Montgomery, in Week 1.

"I would say we were efficient overall, (yet) we weren’t the cleanest," Fraley said of the run game and offensive line's performance against Kansas City. "Coach Spags (Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) did some good things to us that we’ve gotta be prepared for. But, when it comes to the backs, they can see the field, they can run. All training camp they were doing a nice job. We didn’t see the field during preseason, but they saw it, those inter-squad scrimmages were real. The Giants and Jacksonville, they were good tests, and it was a great test for us in protection and the run game. The backs did a nice job.”

#Lions rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs led the entire NFL in week 1 for most forced missed tackles (6) when rushing the football per PFF.

He did so on 7 carries... #Onepride pic.twitter.com/qFNXERS4DA

— Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) September 13, 2023

Now, Gibbs has a chance to go up against a Seahawks defense that struggled mightily in its season-opening contest against the Rams. The Seahawks permitted 30 points and 426 yards to Matthew Stafford & Co., including 5.5 yards per play. This included 8.8 yards per pass play.

This has to have Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson licking his chops about the various ways in which he can deploy Gibbs to exploit Seattle's defense.

I believe that the first-year pro will get more reps in Week 2 – both out of the backfield and as a receiver – and be a menace for Pete Carroll's team to deal with.

Gibbs is the real deal, and is a player the Seahawks need to worry about and game-plan for going into Detroit's home opener Sunday.