Lions Want to Even Out Workload Between Running Backs
Through six games, the Detroit Lions have had an uneven split in carries for running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Both backs are talented enough to be the feature back, but certain circumstances have dictated a slight disparity in action between the two running backs. Notably, Gibbs carried the ball 17 times on the ground in Week 6 while Montgomery had just four carries.
Gibbs has played 230 snaps this season, or 62 percent, while Montgomery has played 143 snaps, which equates to 39 percent of the team's action. On Monday, Lions coach Dan Campbell
For starters, Gibbs is in on a majority of two-minute packages which tends to lead to him getting plenty of consecutive snaps. The Lions still have been cautious as to not over-exert the young back, but he has currently been doing more of the work.
“Well, I think that’s something that I always try to look at. We certainly don’t want him – either one of them getting too much. But I know that it’s a little more tilted towards Jah right now. And a lot of that comes in the two-minute reps that we get," Campbell said. "Now the other day we only had six of them, but a lot of times that’s where that goes because he’s normally in on that and that can skew it. But I don’t feel like we’ve gotten Jah too much in a game yet necessarily. I think he like 36 or 37 snaps the other night. And so, I feel pretty good.
Moving forward, Campbell would like to generate a more even split between the two backs, as both have plenty to offer for the offense. However, each has a skill set that can be better for certain situations, which could dictate which option is utilized.
In ideal circumstances, the snap count and carry allotment would be closer to an even split. As the season rolls on, Campbell would like to see it get to that point as well.
"I would like to balance them out. I would. I would like to give David some more," Campbell said. "Find a place to get him a few more. And we were hoping we were going to be able to do that in the second half some more the other day, and it’s just kind of the way where the game went. We didn’t convert on a couple of those series. We get in fourth-and-10s, and that took away some of the runs and play-passes, and then we were in a different type of game at that point.”
Tyree Wilson Shines Bright For Raiders, Proving His Worth On Defense
The Las Vegas Raiders had their best defensive performance of the season in Week 6, as they beat the Tennessee Titans 20-10 to improve to 2-4. The unit allowed a season-low 10 points, 225 total yards and 160 passing yards, while recording a season-high six sacks and three takeaways.
While Devin White and Maxx Crosby have received much of the attention for their performance, and rightfully so, the game was filled with unsung heroes on the defensive end. Jonah Laulu and Leki Fotu both chipped in with a sack, while Tyree Wilson and Thomas Booker IV each recovered a fumble.
Wilson's play has largely gone under the radar during the 2025 NFL season, as he has played just 41.6% of the defensive snaps. The seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has, however, proven that he deserves a bigger role in the defense.
Tyree Wilson deserves to play a bigger role in the Raiders defense
Wilson did not live up to his draft selection in his first two seasons in the NFL. In 33 games played, he recorded just 56 total tackles, 32 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
He played 43.5% of the defensive snaps as a rookie before playing a bit more at 50.0% last season. Wilson is receiving the least playing time of his career in 2025, however, as he has been on the field for just 41.6% of the defensive snaps through six games.
Despite his limited reps, the third-year edge rusher has quietly been putting together a good season, recording 11 total tackles, eight solo tackles, three tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits one fumble recovery and one pass defended.
His 68.5 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 57th out of 170 edge rushers, and he ranks in the top-45 in sacks, hurries and total pressures while ranking 52nd in stops. His 67.6 grade in Week 6 was the fourth-best on the defense, while his 79.1 run defense grade led the team.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Koonce, who has played 49.2% of the defensive snaps this season, has not been as effective in his return from a torn ACL and meniscus. His 48.2 PFF grade ranks 150th at the position, and he's been largely invisible this season.
It is obvious that Wilson is having a better season than Koonce, whether using raw statistics, analytics or the eye test. Wilson's play has still not been enough to supplant the veteran Koonce on the depth chart, however, as Wilson has not received more playing time than Koonce since Week 1.
While Koonce certainly deserves to be a part of Las Vegas' defensive line rotation, it is hard to justify him continuously receiving more playing time than Wilson, who is younger, healthier and playing better football. Now in his third season, the latter should have the opportunity to see his role increase as the season progresses.
