DETROIT -- There was plenty to be learned after the Detroit Lions fought back and pulled off an overtime win against the New York Giants on Sunday.
The Lions won, 34-27, and now turn their attention to the Green Bay Packers and Thanksgiving. Here are three things we learned from their Week 12 victory:
#### **For all the offensive line inconsistencies, Penei Sewell remains a powerful force**
The offensive line has been a sticking point at times this season. They had some tough moments against the Giants, too. But most of those have come at the hands of the interior offensive line.
And let’s make one thing clear, Penei Sewell is the furthest thing from the problem. He’s holding this thing together and was the lead man on several of those big plays by Gibbs. Four of Gibbs’ longest rushes came on the right side, with all three of his 20-plus gains coming on the side Sewell calls home.
Sewell did not allow a single pressure across 69 snaps. He did that while going against Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and then was a star paving holes on the ground. He has not allowed a sack across 391 pass-blocking chances this season, with only 11 pressures and three quarterback hits surrendered. He’s Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive tackle in the league, and the only at his position with a score higher than 90.0.
Sewell’s run-blocking grade while playing that many snaps is as close to perfect as possible (97.6).
There is a reason Amon-Ra St. Brown not only wanted to run the ball in overtime, but to the right side. Sewell is a force to be reckoned with in short spaces with his power, and holds a rare ability to operate in space while keeping up down the field.
It’s easy to sit back and complain about the offensive line. Some of that is undoubtedly earned. But Sewell’s presence is one that should continue to ease concerns for the long haul.
#### **Detroit’s defensive miscues against the Giants feel fixable**
It would be easy to panic after that game. And if there are hints of panic, that’s OK. But the defensive miscues against the Giants feel fixable, and help appears to be on the way.
The Giants hit on two big trick plays, throwing for 363 yards while converting on 50% of their third-down attempts. But the Lions came up big down the stretch, with a fourth-and-goal stop in the waning minutes, giving them the chance they needed. And then after getting back down to their 27-yard line, they got a game-ending sack on fourth down.
Detroit held the Giants to a 3.1-yard average across 39 rushes, with Jack Campbell again playing a starring role in that department. They got caught on some trickery and fell victim to Winston’s moon balls, but as the secondary meshes with pieces coming back, things should correct themselves.
D.J. Reed was back for the first time since late September. The Lions eased him back into action rather than forcing him into his every-down role. Reed played 31 defensive snaps, with 29 coming outside. But Kelvin Sheppard stayed true to his word that Rock Ya-Sin earned a lasting role. Ya-Sin logged 60 snaps at outside cornerback, while Amik Robertson split time between the slot (24) and outside (47), as expected.
Ya-Sin didn’t allow a single catch, facing only one target in coverage across all those plays. Reed gave up one catch for 30 yards across three targets from Jameis Winston. Robertson had a tough day, allowing eight catches on 12 targets for 100 yards. But he managed to make a big pass breakup to help force overtime, and had an adjustment while shifting more inside than he has with Reed and Terrion Arnold banged up.
Reed will eventually take his CB1 spot back. Arnold missed his second straight game due to a concussion. But once those two have their feet under them again, the Lions will have even more options to find what works best.
Malcolm Rodriguez’s return should give them another proven run-stuffer. Marcus Davenport is also nearing his return, and that’s very good news after Aidan Hutchinson had six of the team’s seven quarterback hits and their only sack. Alim McNeill played a career-high 69 snaps, with another 19 on the defensive edges.
Davenport’s return should send the big man back to the middle, with Sheppard picking spots for him on the edge, instead of relying on it. Look to McNeill moving a 300-pound guard to set up Hutchinson’s sack to end the game as proof of where he belongs.
#### **Jahmyr Gibbs is the key to unlocking this offense. But how much is too much?**
Consider [this an appendix to Monday morning’s column calling for Gibbs to get even more touches and work for the Lions](https://www.mlive.com/lions/2025/11/dan-campbell-took-over-to-fix-his-offense-now-he-needs-to-hand-jahmyr-gibbs-the-keys.html).
Gibbs is out of this world. He has 582 scrimmage yards in the three games with Campbell calling the offense, averaging 194 yards each time out. He’s done that on 61 touches, adding 19 catches in that span.
When Gibbs gets 20 touches, the Lions are 3-0 this season. They were 5-1 when he had that many in games last year, as well. Gibbs proved he could handle the bell-cow duties when David Montgomery went down with a knee injury. And while the Lions have leaned toward Gibbs even more this year, Sunday’s showing against the Giants proved they should go all the way in that direction.
Montgomery has a role here. That’s not what this is about. He’s a trusted veteran, overlooked running back and is more than just a power option. But we’re talking about one of the best playmakers in the league here. Montgomery could be a great spell, especially for blitz pick-up duties and short-yardage looks. Getting the pair on the field more could be a great option, with Montgomery as the last line of defense in the backfield and Gibbs running routes.
Gibbs has 155 rushes and 48 catches while playing 438 offensive snaps -- 63% of the available plays. It’s an increase from the 57% share in his rookie season and 56% last year. The Lions could kick that up to 70%, and profit. Montgomery has 115 carries and 18 catches while playing 281 snaps (40%). He’s been at 48% and 41% in his first two seasons with the Lions.
When Gibbs was the bell cow late last year, the Lions felt like he kept getting better and handled the load well. Heck, he finished as the league leader in touchdowns and went into the offseason healthy.
Detroit is wise to try to balance those carries and to find spots for Montgomery. But it’s time to focus on those specific spots for Montgomery, while embracing Gibbs as the face of the offense, and not just the backfield.
Gibbs ranks 16th in the NFL in carries, with 50 fewer than Jonathan Taylor and 44 fewer than James Cook III. The Lions have something special, and it’s time to embrace it further and see how far they can go.