Just as we all predicted 11 weeks into the season, Jamaal Williams leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns. He added three more in the Lions' 31-18 road win over the Giants on Sunday, just as we all predicted. With Thanksgiving upon us, the Lions have won three straight for the first time in five years and clawed back into the playoff race.
Just as we all predicted when they fell to 1-6 last month.
"We’re just trying to make moves here, man," Williams told FOX Sports on the field after Sunday's win. "We’re just trying to make some motion, make them waves move, you know what I mean? We’re just doing it together."
Williams is the first Lion with at least 12 rushing touchdowns in a season since Barry Sanders in 1991. He sets a new career high in rushing yards every game, with seven games to go in his sixth NFL season. With D'Andre Swift limited by injuries, Williams has seized an opportunity in Detroit's backfield and run with it.
"Look, his production speaks for itself," Dan Campbell said Sunday. "And everything that you see and know about him is exactly who he is. He’s all heart, all emotion. He’s a steady, productive, hard-running, hard-working, smart football player. If you just listed our most dependable, consistent players, he would definitely be at the top of that list. What he did today doesn't surprise me."
Williams, 27, has emerged as the heartbeat of the Lions in his second season in Detroit. The smile on his face almost never fades. Running backs coach Duce Staley recently called him "our team leader." He's an unflagging source of energy over the course of an 18-week season, and now he's one of the NFL's leading rushers, to boot. With free agency looming, Williams told 97.1 The Ticket this week that he wants to stay in Detroit.
The former Packer signed here to help Dan Campbell and Co. change the Lions. To make them "The New Lions," as Williams said last season. They have a ways to go yet, but they're finally gaining some momentum, with Williams leading the way.
"I’m just grateful, man, I’m just happy," said Williams. "I’m proud. These type of moments, I just can’t wait to go back in the lock room and celebrate with my team because we’ve been working hard, man. We’re trying our best to get things going, get things moving in the right direction, and we’re doing that. So we’re going to keep it going."
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