With the game tied late and Ford Field suddenly tense, Jahmyr Gibbs gave the Lions their answer. The speedy running back caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff with 2:25 left, lifting Detroit past the New York Jets 31-24. Gibbs scored three touchdowns and helped the Lions turn a wild fourth quarter into a needed Week 3 win.

Both teams entered at 1-1, chasing momentum after uneven starts. Detroit’s offense had scored plenty of points in its first two games, but the Lions needed their defense to make a final stop. The Jets wanted to show that Geno Smith, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall could lead New York toward meaningful games later in the season.

The first quarter was a defensive tug-of-war. Jets safety Cisco sacked Goff, while Detroit linebacker Wonnum brought down Smith, and neither team scored. Detroit finally broke through early in the second quarter. Gibbs ran for 15 yards on the opening plays of a long drive, then caught two key passes to help set up a 30-yard field goal and a 3-0 Lions lead.

New York answered with a sharp march of its own. Smith found tight end Ruckert for 16 yards and hit tight end Woods for 20 more. Then Smith launched a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Sadiq, putting the Jets ahead 7-3. Detroit did not panic. Goff calmly moved the Lions downfield, and Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a 4-yard touchdown with 1:36 left in the half. Detroit led 10-7 at the break.

The Lions opened the second half with a punch. Goff connected with Sam LaPorta for 28 yards, Gibbs burst around the left side for 11, and then Gibbs raced 17 yards for a touchdown. Detroit’s lead grew to 17-7. Smith answered by finding Wilson for 32 yards, but Detroit’s pass rush shoved the Jets backward with two sacks. New York settled for a field goal, cutting the score to 17-10.

Gibbs kept powering the Lions forward. His 18-yard run was erased by a penalty, but Detroit kept driving, and he smashed in from 1 yard out on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Lions led 24-10.

Still, the Jets refused to fade. Smith hit Ruckert for a 4-yard touchdown, then led a dramatic late drive. Wilson made catch after catch, and replay changed his 22-yard reception into a 23-yard touchdown. Smith found Sterling Shepard for the two-point pass, tying the game 24-24 with 4:06 remaining.

Goff answered instantly with a 49-yard strike to Isaac TeSlaa. That big play set up Gibbs, who slipped free on a short pass for the winning touchdown. Gibbs finished with 99 rushing yards and 65 receiving yards, showing why Detroit can trust him in any part of the field.

The Jets had one last chance, but safety Clark sacked Smith and forced a fumble that linebacker Campbell recovered. Detroit moved to 2-1 and will face Carolina next. New York falls to 1-2 before meeting Chicago, but Wilson’s 10 catches and Smith’s three touchdown passes showed the Jets can fight with anyone when the pressure rises.

Jahmyr Gibbs Finishes Detroit’s Answer in Win Over Jets