Inside running
Despite their penchant for playmaking in the open field, Gibbs and Robinson are exceptional runners between the tackles. They do not mind picking up the dirty yards that require them to run through arm tackles and carnage at the line of scrimmage.
Robinson is built for the grind as a 5-11, 215-pounder with a mix of flash and physicality that enables him to find yardage on downhill runs directly at the middle of the defense. His unique ability to run through contact speaks to his combination of strength, power and body control. Moreover, Bijan’s talent to make defenders miss makes it nearly impossible to defend the Falcons without dropping an extra defender into the box.
Gibbs’ pizzazz as a runner overshadows the physicality he displays on downhill runs. The 5-9, 202-pounder routinely bounces off glancing blows to pick up extra yardage after contact in the hole. Additionally, he rarely goes down on first contact, keeping Detroit’s top-five offense on schedule.
Advantage: Robinson
Outside running
If offensive coaches could pick a perfect player to execute the outside-zone play, they would likely split the vote between Gibbs and Robinson. Each back displays phenomenal patience, vision and burst, slowly setting up blocks before tearing through a crease at the point of attack.
Gibbs attacks the perimeter with outstanding speed but remains under control with the ball in his hands. He has a knack for lulling defenders to sleep before exploding past would-be tacklers. The Lions’ best RB since Barry Sanders has outstanding balance, body control and quickness, but his raw speed is a trump card, allowing him to turn off-tackle runs and sweeps into house calls.
Robinson is also extremely dangerous on off-tackle runs. The reigning first-team All-Pro back is dynamic at the line of scrimmage, showcasing a variety of stop-start cuts and wiggle that allow him to slither in and out of creases with ease. Robinson’s exceptional cutback skills test the discipline of the defense, leading to big plays when defenders overreact to his shake-and-bake at the point of attack.
Advantage: Gibbs
Explosiveness/Big-play potential
Defensive coordinators lose plenty of sleep during the week leading up to a matchup against Gibbs or Robinson. The threat of containing either playmaker forces coaches to make difficult decisions about which personnel to put on the field in the attempt to neutralize their big-play potential.
Robinson is an electric runner with exceptional vision and cutback ability. He shows rare stop-start quickness, while also possessing the ability to spot (and explode through) creases at the second level. His capacity to evade and outmaneuver defenders in space gives him a chance to score from anywhere on the field.
Gibbs is a true home run hitter with the blazing speed to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He excels at making defenders miss in the hole and in space, leading to chunk gains on routine plays. While Robinson nips Gibbs in rushes of 10-plus yards (100 to 95) since they entered the league in 2023, Gibbs is way ahead in rushes of 20-plus yards (33 to 20) and 40-plus yards (9 to 2).
Advantage: Gibbs