Kerby Joseph joins elite company with latest interception against Bengals
Detroit Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph is off to a hot start in his young NFL career and has already joined some elite company 54 games into his NFL journey. Joseph against the Cincinnati Bengals recorded his third interception of the season, which was his 20th of his career.
Joseph's twenty interceptions put him in elite company, as he joined Hall of Famer Ed Reed as the only safeties since 2000 to record 20 INTs through the first four seasons of a player's career.
Since getting drafted in 2022, Joseph has been one of the key pieces in the Lions rebuild in a draft class that features Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, Josh Paschal, and Malcom Rodriguez. The 2022 class also saw contributions from defensive lineman James Houston, who was a key rotational piece during his time in Detroit.
Joseph shines in Lions' dominant win over Bengals in Week 5
With all the injuries the Lions have suffered over the past several seasons, Detroit has never had to really worry about Joseph. He's only missed two starts (both in 2023), while consistently improving each year. Joseph earned an All-Pro honor in 2024, while also leading the league in interceptions with nine. Despite his stellar 2024 season, he is still waiting for his first career Pro Bowl honor, as well.
Through five games, Kerby Joseph and the Detroit Lions hold a 4-1 record with Joseph leading the league in interceptions so far. The Lions took care of business with a dominating Cincy win by 37-24. The game included two sacks from Hutchinson and Derrick Barnes, along with three interceptions from Alex Anzalone, Joseph, and Amik Roberston.
With the Lions clicking on all cylinders, and in all phases of the game, Joseph should have plenty of opportunities to continue to climb in the record books. Teams are being forced to pass in order to stay competitive, which plays right into Joseph's hands. His 20 interceptions have him placed in 11th in the history of the Lions franchise.
Jahmyr Gibbs's career day leads Lions to comeback win vs. Giants
The Detroit Lions were pushed to their limits on Sunday.
Despite giving up 517 total yards to Jameis Winston and the New York Giants, Detroit was able to escape with a 34-27 overtime win and improve its record to 7-4 this season.
The comeback win was highlighted by a career performance from running back Jahmyr Gibbs on a day when his team needed it most.
Jahmyr Gibbs' stellar performance
Gibbs is undoubtedly one of the top running backs in the NFL right now, and that was put on full display in Sunday's win.
Gibbs tallied 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries. That was good for 14.6 yards per carry, and it included his 69-yard rushing touchdown on the Lions' first snap in overtime.
Along the rushing yards, Gibbs added a season high 11 catches for 45 yards and a receiving touchdown.
In total, Gibbs tallied 264 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. Three touchdowns in a game ties a season high for Gibbs, while the 264 scrimmage yards are both the most this season as well as in his career.
Defensive concerns?
As we noted above, Detroit did allow over 500 yards to a bad Giants offense. It was an uncharacteristic performance from a Lions defense that ranked fifth in the NFL in yards allowed headed into Sunday.
Upcoming games against the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams will certainly test Detroit's defense down the home stretch of the season.
