NFL Legend Gives Super Bowl Hopes a Boost for Lions' Gibbs and Montgomery
Rewritten Article
Barry Sanders Backs the Powerhouse Running Back Duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to Lead the Detroit Lions to Super Bowl Glory
Too many NFL teams dream of reaching the Super Bowl, but only a select few can truly make it happen. In the last two seasons, the Detroit Lions have come tantalizingly close, making it to the Conference Championships in 2023 and racking up an impressive 15 wins in 2024. But to finally seal the deal, Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders believes they need their dynamic running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Last week, Sanders, the former Lions running back and one of the all-time greats, told USA Today that he thought this duo was the best in the NFL and would likely play a pivotal role in any potential Super Bowl run.
Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions' top rusher, led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns and had 1,412 yards on the ground in 2024. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod for the second consecutive year. Veteran David Montgomery showed what he can do when he's fully healthy, notching 775 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.
"David Montgomery, he's been a great running back in the NFL for many years, and he just added to that coming over from the Bears and putting him with this Lions offensive line," Sanders said. "And then, you see what Jahmyr Gibbs was able to do last season, really from the time, the last two years that he's been here, but I felt like last year was more of a breakout season for him."
The Lions only got better on the offensive line with the selection of Tate Ratledge in the draft. He'll join Taylor Decker, Christian Mahogany, Frank Ragnow, and Penei Sewell. The change in perception surrounding the Lions since Dan Campbell's arrival is unmistakable.
But as the years roll on, expectations grow higher and higher for this team. Detroit has proven what it can do in the regular season, but translating that success to Super Bowl glory will be the ultimate test. The Lions currently have +950 odds to win Super Bowl LX, according to FanDuel, a slight improvement from earlier odds of +1000.
To keep the momentum going, look for Gibbs and Montgomery to continue trucking forward, carrying the Lions toward their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. And while Sanders' analysis is not exhaustive, he certainly seems confident in their ability to rise to the occasion.
[Credit: Image by Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images]
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for our website Digital.
Follow us on X for the latest sports coverage and subscribe to our Sports Huddle newsletter.
- Barry Sanders, an American football legend, believes the Detroit Lions' duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, excelling in both health and performance, could absolutely propel the team to Super Bowl LX glory in the NFL.
- Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions' star quarterback, exhibited absolute dominance in the previous season, leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns and an impressive 1,412 rushing yards, earning a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
- A dynamic combination of strong sports preparation — warmups — and exceptional skill, Gibbs and Montgomery show great promise as Detroit's go-to players in American football, particularly in the realm of football plays such as handoffs and rushing attempts.
- The Lions' offense has been strengthened further with the addition of Tate Ratledge to their offensive line, joining established players like Taylor Decker, Christian Mahogany, Frank Ragnow, and Penei Sewell.
- The NFC North division and Detroit Lions, teetering on the cusp of greatness, have notably improved their odds of winning Super Bowl LX, as reported by FanDuel, from +1000 to +950, signifying a closer approach to realizing their aspiration for Super Bowl glory in American football.
