Jahmyr Gibbs' 69-Yard Overtime TD Lifts Lions Past Giants 34-27 in Thrilling Week 12 Showdown

It wasn’t just a win. It was a lifeline. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, the Detroit Lions escaped collapse, desperation, and doubt with a 34-27 overtime victory over the New York Giants—all thanks to one electrifying run by Jahmyr Gibbs. On the very first play of overtime, Gibbs broke left, slipped a tackle, and sprinted 69 yards into the end zone, silencing a crowd that had held its breath for three quarters. The play didn’t just end the game. It revived Detroit’s playoff hopes.

From Trailing to Thriving: The Lions’ Comeback

For most of the game, the Lions looked like a team out of sync. Down 20-10 at halftime, they’d managed just one touchdown in the second quarter—barely a whisper compared to New York’s explosive start. The Giants, who entered the game 0-7 on the road, had scored 10 points in each of the first two quarters. Meanwhile, Detroit’s offense sputtered. Quarterback Jared Goff struggled with rhythm, and the running game was bottled up until the fourth quarter.

Then, at 10:50 p.m. UTC, everything changed. Gibbs took a handoff from the Giants’ 45-yard line, found a sliver of space, and exploded through the line. He didn’t just gain 49 yards—he changed the momentum. Three plays later, Detroit tied the game at 27-27 on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Giants, who hadn’t scored since the second quarter, couldn’t answer. The game headed to overtime.

Gibbs’ Historic Night

Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t just win the game—he rewrote the record books. His 219 rushing yards were the third-highest single-game total in Detroit Lions franchise history, trailing only Barry Sanders’ 237-yard game in 1997 and Kevin Jones’ 222-yard outing in 2005. Add 45 receiving yards and three total touchdowns, and you get 264 yards from scrimmage—a career high.

"It was a must win," Gibbs said after the game, sweat still dripping from his brow. "We knew if we kept fighting, something big would happen. I just tried to make the first guy miss. After that, it was just open field."

His 69-yard overtime touchdown wasn’t just a highlight reel moment—it was the first game-ending, overtime touchdown run in Detroit Lions history since 1987. And it came on the very first play of extra time. No timeouts. No hesitation. Just pure, unfiltered speed.

Special Teams Stepped Up When It Mattered

While Gibbs stole the spotlight, the Detroit Lions special teams unit quietly kept them alive. Kicker Jake Bates nailed all four of his field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder in the third quarter that kept Detroit within striking distance. More importantly, his kickoffs pinned the Giants deep, forcing them to drive 85 yards just to score their final touchdown of the game—a drive that consumed over five minutes but yielded no points in overtime.

"Jake’s leg was our secret weapon," said head coach Dan Campbell. "We were down, we were tired, but every time we needed a good kick, he gave us field position. That’s winning football."

Giants’ Season Continues Downward Spiral

For the New York Giants, the loss extended their road losing streak to seven games and dropped them to 2-10 on the season—the second-worst record in the NFC, behind only Carolina. Their offense, which looked dangerous early, went silent after halftime. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 248 yards but had two critical interceptions, one in the red zone late in the fourth quarter that could’ve sealed the game.

Linebacker Bobby Okereke, who made 11 tackles and tackled Gibbs on the 49-yard run, called it "a tough one to swallow." "We had them. We had the game. We just couldn’t finish."

What This Means for the Playoff Race

Before this game, the Lions sat at 6-4, two games behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North. A loss here would’ve made their playoff path nearly impossible. Now, at 7-4, they’re just one game back with four contests left—including a critical matchup against Green Bay next week.

The win also snapped a two-game losing streak—the first time since 2022 that Detroit had lost back-to-back games. For a team that’s been flirting with mediocrity for years, this was a statement: they’re still in the fight.

Meanwhile, the Giants’ season is all but over. With a 0-7 road record and only five games left, they’re now firmly in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Their next game—a home matchup against the Washington Commanders—will be more about draft positioning than pride.

What’s Next?

The Lions head into Week 13 with renewed confidence. Their schedule doesn’t get easier—road games against the 49ers and Packers loom—but they’ve proven they can win under pressure. Gibbs, now a true dual-threat weapon, is emerging as the centerpiece of Detroit’s offense.

For the Giants? The focus shifts to rebuilding. Will they make a coaching change? Will they trade veterans for picks? The answers will come in the coming weeks. But for now, their season is a footnote in a game that belonged entirely to one player—and one unforgettable run.