David

Montgomery

Montgomery started hot in this one, starting the game as the primary ball carrier before taking a backseat to Jahmyr Gibbs in the second half. Overtime was a different story as the team rode Montgomery’s fierce between-the-tackles running to the game-winning score on the first possession. The backfield split between Montgomery and Gibbs remained fairly even as the former saw 18 opportunities to the 17 of the latter. Expect a similar split moving forward, which largely places a cap on the weekly floor and ceiling of Gibbs in the process. That said, Gibbs could see more usage in Week 2 when the team hosts the Buccaneers’ stout run defense in Detroit.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday morning that Gibbs — who picked up a hamstring injury on Monday — is “gonna be fine.” Schultz confirmed Gibbs’ injury isn’t a long-term issue, and barring any setbacks in the coming weeks, the second-year back should suit up for Week 1 against LA. In Detroit’s postseason win over the Rams last season, Gibbs had 25 yards on eight carries and four catches for 43 yards.

“I think we’re gonna be fine here,” Campbell said during a Wednesday radio interview. “So, I think we’ll be good.” It’s not much to quell the concerns about an extended absence for Gibbs, but it suggests the second-year back’s hamstring injury won’t be of the long-term variety. Even so, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Gibbs to sit out practice for days or even weeks as the team preps for its Week 1 game against the Patriots. David Montgomery would likely work as an every-down back if Gibbs were to miss any time in the regular season.

Lions GM Brad Holmes said two weeks ago said the team is ramping up the second-year back for a heftier workload in 2024. Montgomery said the team needs Gibbs “to go from a passing game standpoint is go to the next level. ... I do think there’s a certain difference between being a really efficient check-down versus a great route-runner, a guy that can run all types of choice (routes). We know we’ve seen him do those things. But now can you go into the slot and a little bit more down the field, some intermediate stuff. Can we continue to grow him there, and that’s what we’re trying to do.” This is standard fare for offseason talk of a talented pass-catching running back. Gibbs in 2023 ran 9.2 percent of his routes from the slot. We could see a slight bump in that slot usage but it doesn’t change much about his statistical profile.

Montgomery handily outperformed expectations in his first season in Detroit, riding 13 touchdowns to an RB17 finish in PPR scoring. He was also one of only 12 backs to surpass 1,000 yards rushing on the season, doing so in just 14 games played. That left him as the RB15 in fantasy points per game in the first year of a three-year contract with the Lions. The backfield should look similar when the calendar turns over to the new league year considering the Lions invested significant capital in rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs prior to the 2023 season.

Montgomery was highly ineffective and drew a critical chop block penalty in the fourth quarter. He had one more carry than Jahmyr Gibbs, who totaled 114 yards and scored the Lions’ only rushing touchdown of the day. Montgomery remains a touchdown-dependent DFS option who doesn’t get much beyond what is blocked for him. Gibbs should be more of a priority for the Lions in the NFC title game against the 49ers.

The Lions were able to control the game flow throughout, leading by 11 points on two separate occasions in the first half. That led to a more nuanced offensive approach in the second half, while Montgomery primarily split time with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. Those two factors combined to hold his workload in check in the narrow victory. Montgomery could have two very different matchups on deck for the Divisional Round pending the winner of the Eagles-Buccaneers game on Monday.

Montgomery found pay dirt from three yards out in the third quarter to reclaim the lead but Dallas would kick a field goal on the subsequent drive to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter. As is typically the case in close games, Montgomery split backfield work almost evenly with Jahmyr Gibbs, which places a relative cap on his upside outside of outrageous efficiency. The Lions could have nothing to play for in Week 18 assuming the 49ers and Eagles handle business on Sunday, meaning the next time we see Montgomery could be in the Super Wildcard round when the Lions host a playoff game at Ford Field.

Montgomery punched in a short score, giving him his 11th rushing touchdown of the year. Jahmyr Gibbs scored twice, one of which came from inside the five-yard line. Gibbs also saw seven targets and rushed 15 times. With how often the Lions run, Montgomery will close out the year as a high-end RB2 versus the Cowboys. However, his lack of a role through the air and split of the goal line touches will keep him out of the RB1 ranks to close out the year.

Montgomery didn’t find the end zone in this one but did lead his team with 17 rush attempts. He fell 15 yards shy of the century mark but averaged a solid 5.0 YPC on the evening. While he didn’t score, Montgomery did his part to help set up multiple scoring drives, including a drive that ended with a Jahmyr Gibbs rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Montgomery has seen double-digit touches in seven straight games, with touchdowns coming in four of them. He’ll be a volume-based RB2 in Week 16 against the Vikings, but he will likely need a touchdown to pay off for managers who start him.