Detroit Lions Running Back Williams Sets Franchise Record

The Detroit Lions were already eliminated from playoff contention entering their Sunday Night Football matchup with the Green Bay Packers, but they still found a way to make plenty of fond memories. With his two scores in the Lions' 20-16 win, running back Jamaal Williams set a franchise record with 17 rushing touchdowns in a season.

A record-setting score for @jswaggdaddy!#DETvsGB | 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/LkTxeIeUQP
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2023

Williams broke the record with a game-winning score late in the fourth quarter. Former Detroit Lions great and Hall of Famer Barry Sanders previously held the record with 16 rushing touchdowns over 15 games in his exceptional 1991 season. Sanders also led the league with 103.2 yards per game that season. Williams finished with a relatively modest 62.7.

Williams' record-setting night put an exclamation point on what was a joyous if ultimately meaningless game for the Detroit Lions. Already eliminated from the Wildcard race due to a Seattle Seahawks win over the Los Angeles Rams earlier in the day, the Lions had nothing to gain but pride by beating the Packers. But pride was reason enough. The Lions eliminated their NFC North rivals from the playoffs with their 20-16 win and finished with a winning record for the first time since 2017.

The Lions will enter the offseason with plenty of reason for optimism. They sport nearly $30 million in cap space and hold the Rams' sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by virtue of the Matthew Stafford trade.