Barry Sanders, the renowned running back for the Detroit Lions, identified two factors that are crucial to the team’s success in the Super Bowl, and they begin in the backfield.

For the Detroit Lions, the dream of a Super Bowl appearance is no longer a far-fetched fantasy—it’s an attainable goal, one that seems more realistic with every passing season. The team has undergone a remarkable transformation under head coach Dan Campbell, with savvy drafting, aggressive play-calling, and a renewed toughness that has captivated fans across the league. But if you ask Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders—the most electrifying player in franchise history—he’ll tell you that the key to Detroit finally reaching the NFL’s biggest stage lies in two fundamental factors: the play of the running backs and the continued development of quarterback Jared Goff.

Speaking at a recent charity event in Michigan, Sanders didn’t hesitate when asked what would carry the Lions to the next level.

“It starts in the backfield,” Sanders said. “If you’re going to be a championship-caliber team, you need a quarterback who makes good decisions, and you need a ground game that can control the clock. Those two things—the quarterback and the running backs—are going to determine how far Detroit can go.”

It’s a simple philosophy rooted in the fundamentals of football. Yet coming from one of the most transcendent talents the game has ever seen, it carries undeniable weight. And in Detroit’s case, the timing of Sanders’ comments couldn’t be more significant. The Lions are fresh off a season where they reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991—the very year Sanders led them there. Now, with the pieces in place, they appear poised to go even further. But only if the backfield holds up its end of the bargain.

When the Lions acquired Jared Goff in the 2021 blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, many believed Goff was a placeholder—a bridge quarterback meant to keep the seat warm until Detroit found its next franchise star. Instead, Goff has resurrected his career in Motown, blossoming into the reliable, intelligent field general that Campbell and GM Brad Holmes hoped he would become.

Sanders praised Goff’s evolution as a signal-caller, noting his ability to process defenses and avoid costly mistakes.

“Jared has grown so much since his early years with the Rams,” Sanders said. “He’s not trying to be Superman. He understands the offense, and he’s become a leader. You need that kind of poise if you’re going to win big games.”

Indeed, Goff’s numbers in 2024 told the story of a quarterback in command: over 4,000 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. More importantly, he played some of his best football in the postseason, leading Detroit to playoff victories over the Rams and 49ers before narrowly falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles.

Goff’s decision-making, particularly on third down and in the red zone, has improved dramatically. He’s no longer forcing throws under pressure or locking in on his first read. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who resisted head coaching offers to return for another year, has helped Goff play to his strengths—quick reads, timing throws, and play-action efficiency.

“He doesn’t need to win the game by himself,” Sanders said. “He just needs to keep the chains moving, stay out of trouble, and make the throws when they count. That’s what you want from your quarterback in January.”

While Goff’s resurgence has rightly drawn attention, Sanders believes the engine of the Lions’ offense is their dynamic backfield duo: Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The two running backs offer a blend of speed, power, and versatility that few teams can match—and according to Sanders, their performance will be the difference between another deep playoff run and a Super Bowl parade.

“I love what I see from those two guys,” Sanders said. “Gibbs brings that explosiveness—you never know when he’s going to take one 60 yards. And Montgomery is that bruiser who wears down defenses. You need both types if you’re going to win in the playoffs.”

Gibbs, the 2023 first-round pick out of Alabama, emerged as one of the NFL’s most electric playmakers in his second season. He finished with over 1,400 total yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to impact the game as both a runner and receiver. His elusiveness in space and top-end speed make him a nightmare for linebackers and safeties.

Montgomery, on the other hand, embodies the grit and toughness that defines Campbell’s team. The former Bears standout rushed for 1,015 yards and added nine touchdowns, serving as the steadying presence who thrives in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Together, they kept defenses guessing and allowed Detroit to dictate the tempo of games.

“When you can run the ball late in the fourth quarter, that’s how you close out games,” Sanders said. “And when defenses have to respect your ground game, it makes life easier for the quarterback and receivers.”

What impressed Sanders most, however, wasn’t just the production of Gibbs and Montgomery—it was their unselfishness. Despite both being used to starting roles, the two backs embraced a committee approach without complaint. Their chemistry on and off the field became one of the Lions’ underappreciated strengths.

“They’re rooting for each other, they’re lifting each other up,” Sanders said. “You don’t always see that in the league, especially when guys want touches and stats. That tells me they’re focused on winning, not just numbers.”

This camaraderie translated into efficient drives, especially in crucial moments. Detroit ranked top five in red zone efficiency and time of possession in 2024, often relying on the run game to bleed the clock and protect leads.

Sanders emphasized that in the cold-weather playoff battles, a team’s ability to lean on its run game can make the difference.

“When it’s 20 degrees and you’re playing a defense that’s flying around, you don’t want to be throwing 40 times,” he said. “You want to hand it off and let your backs take control.”

For all the tactical Xs and Os Sanders discussed, he also highlighted something less quantifiable but equally important: mentality. The Lions have forged an identity as a blue-collar, physical, never-say-die team—a mirror image of their head coach. Sanders believes that begins in the backfield.

“The way your backs run—that sets the tone for the whole team,” he said. “If your backs are fighting for every yard, finishing runs, absorbing contact, it sends a message to everyone else. That’s what this team has now.”

Gibbs and Montgomery aren’t just running backs; they’re emotional anchors for the offense. Their physical style energizes the offensive line. Their big plays ignite the home crowd. Their humility keeps the locker room grounded.

Sanders, whose own playing style was defined by balance, vision, and resilience, sees elements of himself in Gibbs. But more importantly, he sees a backfield tandem that complements each other and elevates the entire team.

“I never had a partner like that,” Sanders admitted with a smile. “I look at those two and think, man, if we had something like that in the ‘90s, who knows?”

As the Lions enter the 2025 season, expectations are sky-high. The roster is deeper, the coaching staff is intact, and the core players—Goff, Gibbs, Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson—are all in their primes.

But if Detroit is going to finally break through and reach its first Super Bowl, it will be because the backfield carried them there—just as Barry Sanders predicted.

“You can have great receivers, a tough defense, and flashy play design,” Sanders said. “But when it’s crunch time, you lean on your quarterback and your running backs. That’s what wins in January. That’s what wins in February.”

If Goff continues his steady leadership, and if Gibbs and Montgomery keep slicing and bruising their way through defenses, there’s every reason to believe Detroit could be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy next February.

And when that day comes, somewhere on the sideline or in the stands, Barry Sanders will likely be smiling—not just as a proud Lions legend, but as the man who saw it all coming.