It hasn't been done in well over a decade. It's only been done twice this century, and five times in NFL history. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs would like to make it six. They set a goal for themselves back in September to rush for 1,000 yards each. In December, said Gibbs, "we noticed that we were close." They can get there in the Lions' season finale against the Vikings.
"I already knew it was going to look like this toward the end of the year, so I’m not surprised at all," Montgomery said. "We just gotta go out there and be able to accomplish it."
Montgomery, the five-year vet, has rushed for 975 yards. Gibbs, the rookie, has rushed for 915. It will take a big game from Gibbs to push them into the exclusive company of running back tandems who have reached 1,000 in the same season. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams of the Panthers were the last to do it, in 2009.
"It would mean a lot to me and D-Mo, and the rest of the offense," said Gibbs. "It shows dedication to the work we put in throughout this whole season and it would just be special for the program."
The Vikings might be the right opponent. Gibbs ran for 80 yards against them two weeks ago in the Lions' division-clinching win in Minnesota, and they have little to play for on Sunday. Montgomery should get to 1,000 for the second time in his career with ease.
"It’s big," said Montgomery. "We definitely try to compete against each other, but we look at it like we know what we’re capable of doing and we try to be sure that we do that every week and every chance we get."
"There’s no hatin’," said Gibbs, who calls Montgomery his big brother. "We complement each other. But we couldn’t do it without the O-line and receivers blocking, so they’re a big part of it, too."
Gibbs has rushed for about 65 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry, the latter of which leads NFL running backs. He has lived up to the expectations that came with being the 12th overall pick. Montgomery has rushed for 75 yards per game, third in the NFL, and 4.7 yards per carry, both career highs. He has met his own expectations running behind the Lions' elite offensive line.
"I mean, you can see, you know what I’m saying? The efficiency and being able to trust where the ball is supposed to go, it’s really those guys up front," he said.
Asked where his game has popped this season, Montgomery said, "What I can do in space."
History is theirs for the making on Sunday. Dan Campbell plans to play the Lions' starters throughout the game, with the No. 2 seed in the NFC still on the table. Gibbs and Montgomery should each get their usual allotment of carries, about 12 for the former and 16 for the latter. Runnings back coach Scottie Montgomery said the Lions will give the milestone a go "as long as it falls into the winning of the game."
"First, said Gibbs, "obviously we want to win, by any means. If we don’t get it and we win, we’ll live with it. But if we get it and win, it’ll be a bonus."