DETROIT -- After a nail-biting 34-27 overtime win over the New York Giants, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell had no problem admitting that running back Jahmyr Gibbs "bailed us out today in a big way."
With the score knotted at 27 on the opening play of overtime, Gibbs put Detroit ahead for good with a 69-yard touchdown, which was his third of the day.
Gibbs finished with 264 scrimmage yards, the third most in a game in Lions history. He had 15 carries for 219 rushing yards and 11 receptions for 45 receiving yards as the Lions narrowly avoided an upset loss.
After trailing 27-17 with 12:16 left in the fourth quarter, the Lions scored 17 unanswered points to end the game.
Kicker Jake Bates forced overtime with a 59-yard field goal with 33 seconds remaining in regulation to help Detroit pull off its first win this season when trailing by double digits. The Lions were 0-4 before Sunday.
Gibbs described the matchup against the Giants as a "must-win" as the Lions (7-4) fight for a playoff spot.
"The next six or seven more games we got are must-wins, so we've got to keep going," Gibbs said.
Gibbs reached 22.17 mph during his overtime run, which is the second fastest by a ball carrier for a touchdown this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Gibbs also has the fastest run, when he reached 22.23 mph during his 78-yd touchdown run in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When the coaches called for the "duo" run play, Lions quarterback Jared Goff was confident that Gibbs could reach the end zone while running behind offensive linemen Tate Ratledge and Penei Sewell.
"I've got the best seat in the house. It's really cool. I think I put my hand up when he was about 7 yards down the field," Goff said. "You can see the angle he's about to take and the angle the safety's at, and it's over. That's what makes him so special is that next-level speed."
Once he entered the huddle, Gibbs also said he was encouraged by teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown.
"Saint, he told me to score, so I was listening to Saint. He was like 'score,' and I was like, 'bet,'" Gibbs said.
With Gibbs running for 219 yards, Goff got the play-action game rolling, completing a season-high 13 attempts and throwing two touchdowns out of the formation. Goff finished with 279 passing yards as St. Brown had nine receptions for a game-high 149 receiving yards.
"It's important to get the W. Regardless of who we're playing, or what their record is, to finish the game and get the W that way, is a way we haven't won yet in overtime and kind of having to claw back and get that W," Goff said. "I think it says a lot about kind of catching that momentum and trying to get on that train and get on the right foot."
The Lions won't have much time to celebrate. They'll host the Green Bay Packers in their annual Thanksgiving game on Thursday.