Sonic, Knuckles, and the Video Game Duos in the NFL

Doctor Robotnik wasn’t the only mustachioed character to be foiled by Sonic and Knuckles last Sunday.

That’s right—the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings and their rush-heavy Norse dominance in the Brian Flores defense fell victim to their first loss of the season in the debut of the self-titled rushing attack of Sonic and Knuckles, also known as David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Following their 31-29 win in Minnesota, the duo have combined for 11 touchdowns on the year and love every bit of sharing the workload in different ways.

In the rebuild of this Dan Campbell Lions era from laughing stock to America’s team, Montgomery signing in 2022 after being underwhelming in Chicago seemed like a bit of an overpay to some, only for Detroit to follow up their success with spending a high first-round pick on a running back in Gibbs a year later. That kind of draft capital on a running back is usually seen as taboo, but we’ve seen that Detroit operates with one thought in mind: bring in the best player.

Their contrasting styles of rushing have been a revelation to the point where no one is questioning it now: they’re the only teammates in 2024, each with 400-plus scrimmage yards and four-plus touchdowns. Detroit gets to use Monty as Knuckles plowing through defensive fronts to force tackles off him with the anger of the strong-man echidna from the video game. Gibbs gets to operate in the shifty, speedy backfield as Sonic as Jared Goff’s right hand and opening up play-action, sprinting with skill and the prowess of an animal going at a downhill angle.

With reduced mileage, everyone eats in this juxtaposing backfield that works.

With Sonic and Knuckles taking over the video game nickname revelation, who are some other duos around the league that simply work?

Let’s figure it out and give them their iconic video game comparison.

Justin Jefferson and Sam Darnold // Mario and Luigi

Regarding the Vikings, Justin Jefferson has been so clearly the Mario in Minnesota to Sam Darnold’s Luigi. Jefferson, the highest-paid receiver in NFL history, is Mr. Reliable, the face of the franchise, and someone whom Darnold can rely upon with a “Justin Jefferson is down there somewhere” heave in their success this year.

Darnold has Luigi’s goofiness in that he was a former misfit toy taken off the scrap heap before they give the keys to JJ McCarthy, and as Darnold is all at once comical, makes young and boneheaded mistakes at some points and can see ghosts, Jefferson hasn’t once wavered in being the rock for him to lean on in their 5-1 start.

TJ Watt and Cam Heyward // Ryu and Ken (Street Fighter)

Death, taxes, and a Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line that makes life an absolute beat down for the opposition.

PHOTO: Barry Reeger/Imagn Images

Before Russell Wilson torched the Jets in an offensive outpouring on Sunday night in his debut for their 37-point drubbing, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers have been a model of winning games in the most ugly, gritted-out way possible ever since the twilight of the Big Ben era. That began and ended with the pass-rush duo of TJ Watt on the edge and Cam Heyward on the inside. Watt has to be Ryu from the Street Fighter series- his devotion, like his brother JJ, to always look like the strongest, hardest-working man in the room (after signing his massive deal, Adam Schefter said he put pen to paper and then added the detail that he immediately went to go lift weights) parallels the “always focused on self-improvement and discipline” Ryu.

Heyward is an absolute beast that you would want no part of on the interior, but he’s also a softy on the inside that’s always smiling and is a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award-winner. He keeps it light in the same way that Ken’s relaxed demeanor as a fighter balances out Ryu. Pittsburgh has a stable full of Street Fighters.

DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett // Ratchet and Clank

In the Seattle wide receiver room, there has never been a more different duo that somehow still has worked for so long. DK is the Adonis freak-of-nature athlete who is 6’4, 236 pounds, can shove any defender down with one bicep (he did this against Atlanta this week.), and has top-notch sprint speed to go up and get deep balls. He also will have highlighted hair, earrings, and eye paint and isn’t afraid to… tell coordinators and teammates how he’s feeling. He’s the impulsive Ratchet from the iconic Ratchet and Clank series, as he’s always somehow getting into adventures on and off the field.

Enter Tyler Lockett: his stable Clank, the robot that is his guiding light. Lockett is the veteran who is the complete opposite personality-wise as the soft-spoken leader who’s 5’10 “, 182 pounds. He skillfully weaves his way to the outside and always falls down immediately rather than accumulate the fiery yards after the catch like DK. They’ve never felt animosity towards one another rather than find ways to make it work as contrasting weapons, as Lockett has been the wise figure for DK to become a superstar next to.

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry // Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong

Imagine you have possibly the best make-you-miss rushing quarterback with unbelievable sprint speed and then added a Hall of Fame-bound, aggressive bowling ball model of consistency in a completely contrasting rushing style.

That’s what the Baltimore Ravens did in bargain shopping and signing Derrick Henry off the scrap heap to make the thunder-and-lightning rushing attack next to 2x MVP Lamar Jackson.

Putting Henry into the equation on offense has only made life easier for Lamar, and his play has somehow elevated coming off of his best season. Henry hasn’t lost a step with 8 touchdowns and averages 5 yards a carry with at least one “OH MY GOODNESS DERRICK HENRY DID THAT TO THAT POOR DEFENDER” run per game; meanwhile, Lamar continues to shake defenders out of their cleats; he’s a quarterback and is still top-15 in rushing with Henry leading the pack; it’s an embarrassment of riches. Henry has been the Donkey Kong, the massive defender that tractors through defensive lines to make the agile Diddy Kong’s journey easy with their loyalty. It’s made all the difference this year.

PHOTO: Barry Reeger/Imagn Images