By_Suraj Karowa/ ANW, October 22, 2025
NFL Week 7 Monday Night Football Recap:
Gibbs Erupts, Evans Out for Season, Smith-Njigba Shines in Seahawks Win
Detroit, MI / Seattle, WA – In the final Monday Night Football double-header of the 2025 NFL season, the Detroit Lions dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-9, while the Seattle Seahawks edged the Houston Texans 27-19 in a thriller. The games delivered explosive individual performances, devastating injuries, and pivotal divisional implications.
Jahmyr Gibbs Breaks Out in Lions’ Rout of Buccaneers : Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs silenced early-season critics with a career-defining performance, amassing 218 yards from scrimmage (136 rushing, 82 receiving) and two touchdowns on just 20 touches. His 78-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter highlighted his elite speed, leaving Buccaneers defenders grasping at air.
The outburst marked the most scrimmage yards by a Lions player since Calvin Johnson’s 329 in 2013. Gibbs, who entered the game without a 100-yard rushing performance this season, averaged 8.0 yards per carry on 17 attempts.
“You felt like this was coming,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell. “Tonight was the night where he just busted one… there’ll be no looking back.”
Quarterback Jared Goff, despite a rare off-night with an interception and fumble, praised Gibbs’ explosiveness: “As soon as he hits the hole, it’s over. I don’t know how many safeties could catch him.”
The win improved Detroit to 6-1, solidifying their NFC North lead. For Tampa Bay (5-2), the loss compounded a nightmare evening.
Mike Evans Suffers Season-Ending Broken Clavicle . Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans was carted off in the second quarter after his head struck the turf on a contested catch. Initially ruled out with a concussion and shoulder injury, post-game tests revealed a broken clavicle that will sideline him for most of the remaining season.
The injury ends Evans’ streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and decimates Tampa Bay’s receiving corps. The team is already without Chris Godwin (fibula) and rookie Emeka Egbuka (hamstring).
“It’s a blow,” said Bucs coach Todd Bowles. “We just got to regroup.”
Evans, 32, was playing his first game after missing three weeks with a hamstring issue.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Leads Seahawks Past Texans
In Seattle, third-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his ascent into elite status, hauling in 8 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown in the 27-19 victory. His score, celebrated with a basketball-style dunk over the goalpost (drawing a penalty), capped a 10-point Seahawks surge in the fourth quarter.
Smith-Njigba now leads the NFL with 819 receiving yards and has five 100-yard games this season. He’s formed a dynamic connection with quarterback Sam Darnold, who compared him favorably to former teammate Justin Jefferson: “They both know how to get open… that’s habits from film study,” Darnold said.
The game swung wildly:
Seattle jumped to a 14-0 lead, only for errors—including a Cooper Kupp interception and blocked field goal—to allow Houston back. Texans pass rusher Will Anderson’s sack-fumble-touchdown cut the deficit to five, but Seattle responded with 10 unanswered points.
A late Woody Marks touchdown and unnecessary roughness penalty on Houston’s Tim Settle sealed the win, moving Seattle to 5-2 and into a three-way tie atop the NFC West.
Key Stats & Standings Impact
Gibbs: 17 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD; 3 receptions, 82 yards
Smith-Njigba: 8 rec, 123 yards, 1 TD (league-leading 819 yards)
Lions (6-1): Sole possession of NFC North
Buccaneers (5-2): Fall to 2nd in NFC South
Seahawks (5-2): Tied with Rams, 49ers in NFC West
Texans (4-3): Slip in crowded AFC South
Looking Ahead
The Lions host the Titans in Week 8, while Tampa Bay faces Atlanta in a critical divisional clash. Seattle travels to Buffalo, and Houston hosts Indianapolis.
With injuries mounting across the league, depth will be tested as the playoff push intensifies.
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