Our second poll question, which considers a good problem Detroit has in their backfield, takes a somewhat different turn this time around because the Lions are on their bye. Who should the Lions starting running back going forward be?
This season, the Lions have been extremely transparent about how they want to use the running game. They want to take advantage of occasions when their opponent becomes fatigued and bash you in the mouth early.
That has led to David Montgomery starting five of the first six games of the season (he missed Week 3 due to injury), amassing 385 rushing yards on 94 carries and six touchdowns, to go along with six receptions for 66 receiving yards. Unfortunately, Montgomery was injured in Week 6 and has been unable to play since—although that is expected to change when the Lions return to the field in Week 10.
With Montgomery absent the last two games, first-round rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has taken over starting duties. While he has also missed two games this season, he has still managed 399 rushing yards on 76 carries, and two touchdowns, along with 28 receptions for 165 receiving yards. The majority of that production came last week against the Raiders when Gibbs totaled 189 all-purpose yards and a score.
We felt like there was some things that we could do (against the Raiders) and we wanted to get Gibbs going,” coach Dan Campbell said following last week’s game. “We wanted to be able to establish the run, and you could tell he was feeling it. Every week he’s just gotten a little bit better and a little bit better and I thought last week was his best game, and this week certainly surpassed that. And I think the more he gains his own confidence in his own abilities in this league, he’s just going to continue to grow, and I think this was kind of the tip of the iceberg if you will for what he is able to do and going to be able to do. So really proud of him.”
Now, it’s clear the Lions would prefer to platoon both backs and reap the benefits of both players operating at their peak, but will the Lions favor one over the other? Montgomery will most likely continue to get technical “starts” because the Lions give that respect to their veterans. But this question wants to know, which back you believe will get “starter-level” snaps and opportunities?
Will it be a stick-to-the-season game plan approach when Montgomery is healthy? Or, has the light bulb clicked on for Gibbs and you expect the coaching staff to ride the most dynamic option?
