Takeaways as Lions top Jets to collect second win in 2026

The Detroit Lions are 2-1. Detroit hung on to down the New York Jets (1-2) from Ford Field, 31-24.

It was another thriller from Ford Field. Detroit built a two-touchdown lead after Jahmyr Gibbs ' second touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

But, like its season opener against the New Orleans Saints , the Lions watched a big lead slip away. Similar to that Week 1 victory, the Lions found a way late in a stressful finish at home.

The Lions' offensive line deserves credit for a better outing up front in the run game. A week after the Buffalo Bills ' defense limited Detroit to just 66 rushing yards and Jahmyr Gibbs to only 52, Gibbs and the Lions' running game bounced back.

Detroit outrushed New York, 131-58, and that wound up being one of the big keys in the game.

Gibbs just does some incredible things out there individually, though. The 5-foot-9, 202-pound running back's greatness was on display during his 17-yard touchdown run where he threw on the brakes and then reversed field after making multiple Jets defenders miss en route to the end zone.

Gibbs is an all-timer and that's clear every time he laces them up. The Alabama product climbed in the franchise's record books with his three-touchdown day.

Geno Smith lights up Lions' defense for 321 passing yards

Geno Smith made some pretty amazing throws on Sunday and rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq and star receiver Garrett Wilson combined for multiple spectacular grabs.

So, to some degree, tip your cap to Smith and Co. on Sunday. But, after Tyler Shough threw for more than 400 yards in the opener, Josh Allen did what he wanted to do in Week 2 and Smith finished 31 of 37 passing for 321 yards with three touchdowns, it's obvious that Detroit's kryptonite is exactly what many suspected it would be.

The secondary and pass coverage is a major, major issue for Detroit's defense. If Detroit wants to truly contend for a Super Bowl, Lions general manager Brad Holmes has to make an in-season move to bolster this defense.

The Lions' defense got to Smith five times, including Chuck Clark on the game-sealer. Clark went untouched on a blitz to Smith, knocked the football loose and Jack Campbell scooped it to secure the 31-24 win.

DJ Wonnum had a two-sack day, Alim McNeill had a sack, and Aidan Hutchinson and Skyler Gill-Howard had a half-sack.

It's been a great start to the season from Jared Goff. Just another business-like, efficient day in the office for Goff.

The 31-year-old completed 25 of 32 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Goff has now completed 70.6% of his passes for 802 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

Goff spread the football around to eight different pass-catchers.

It was good to see Isaac TeSlaa make multiple key plays in this game. TeSlaa reeled in a 5-yard pass from Goff on a 4th-and-2 snap that set up Amon-Ra St. Brown 's 4-yard touchdown grab a few plays later.

Then, in the Lions' game-winning drive, TeSlaa jumpstarted the drive with a 49-yard reception.

TeSlaa finished with three catches for a team-leading 66 yards.

Sione Vaki had the most touches of his career on Sunday. With Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve and expected to be sidelined until December, the Lions need other running backs to help lessen the load a bit on Gibbs.

Vaki was able to do that on Sunday, carrying six times for 26 yards and catching a pass for 11 yards.

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