D’Andre Swift joins Lions record book next to Barry Sanders

D’Andre Swift already entered the Lions record books

Two things Detroit Lions fans will always complain about; Calvin Johnson’s early retirement and the lack of a run game. It seems like every season, fans keep hoping that a new running back will emerge from the backfield and carry their team deep into the postseason.

Swift might not be able to do it alone, but his new record will certainly keep the motors of fans in Detroit going.

Following Sunday’s 34-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Swift became the first running back since Barry Sanders to rush for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in a single outing. The rookie running back finished his breakout game with 14 carries for 116 yards, plus three catches for seven yards to go along with the scores.

Swift isn’t Barry, but he’s off to a good start.

Kerryon Johnson broke Detroit’s 70-game drought without a 100-yard rusher in 2018 with 101 yards against the New England Patriots. Over the past two seasons, he’s tallied two other 100-plus yard games. Since 2013, the team has yet to have a running back surpass the 1,000-yard marker in a single season, with Reggie Bush racking up 1,006.

Swift averaged 8.2 yards per carry in Sunday’s showdown. If you take away the 54-yard gain, he averaged 4.6. Moving forward, the Lions should rely heavily on Swift as the feature back in the Motor City.

Sitting at 2-3 might seem bleak, but Swift could whisk away with another big outing to seal a victory and keep them in the NFC North running. Detroit is set to play the 1-5 Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, who currently rank 5th in rushing yards allowed per game.