Continuing their historic stat-topping season, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta smashed another NFL record. With 146 receptions for 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns, LaPorta has the most receptions by a tight end over two years. Despite a slow start this season, LaPorta is peaking at exactly the right time.
Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta Peaking At Just The Right Time
Drafted by the Lions with the 34th pick in the second round of the 2023 draft, LaPorta made the Pro Bowl his rookie season. Exceeding all expectations, he ended the year as the TE1 for fantasy production. Second only to superstar receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown , the rookie soon established himself as a favorite target for quarterback Jared Goff .
Ranked among the NFL’s top five last year in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns, LaPorta entered this season with equally high expectations as the number two fantasy tight end after Travis Kelce. He was projected to have 83 receptions for 880 yards with seven touchdowns.
But through the first half dozen weeks, LaPorta seemed sluggish and out of sorts compared with his impressive rookie season. Hampered by a hamstring injury suffered in training camp, LaPorta didn’t score his first touchdown until week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. Although he got the seven touchdowns this season as projected, he finished below his projected receptions and yardage targets.
Lions LaPorta Regains His Rhythm
However, during the last month, LaPorta more than made up for an unremarkable start. Following up a two-touchdown performance in week 13 against the Bears, LaPorta recorded seven receptions for 111 yards two weeks later against the Buffalo Bills. It was his first 100-yard game of the season.
Over the past five weeks, LaPorta has 29 receptions for 335 yards and two touchdowns. His steady re-emergence as a reliable scoring weapon couldn’t come at a better time for the Lions. As they prepare for their first postseason game this weekend against the Washington Commanders, Goff will look to LaPorta as a solid, dependable target.
Lions 2024 Season One for the Record Books
The Lions 2024 season will long be remembered as one for the record books. Scoring a league-high total of 70 touchdowns, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has the offense churning at a record pace. By comparison, the Bills and the Baltimore Ravens rank second and third respectively with 65 touchdowns.
Detroit’s 15-2 record this year tied the team with the Kansas City Chiefs for the most NFL wins in a single season. The Lions and the Chiefs share another record. Since 2022, the two teams are tied with an NFL-best record of 35-9.
The Lions’ meteoric rise to the top of the NFL ranks includes six games where the team scored more than 40 points. Detroit is the first team in the league to record 16 games above 20 points. The Lions topped the leaderboard with a plus 222-point differential against their opponents, racking up an astounding 564 points this season for an average of 33.3 points per game.
Lions Take On The Commanders
As the Lions prepare to face Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, the two teams are evenly matched with both teams ranking first and second in the league for scoring. The Lions scored on 51.7% of their drives and the Commanders scored 50% of the time. Daniels poses a dual threat with his mobility, increasing the efficiency of their ground game. The Commanders posted the NFL’s third-best rushing production at 154.1 yards.
Although the Commanders may have a slight edge in rushing efficiency versus the sixth-ranked Lions with 146.4, Detroit has the edge in their passing game, with Goff ranking second in the league with 263.2 yards versus Daniels’ 17th-ranked 215.6. Goff has been exceptional all season long. His 4,629 passing yards rank second in the NFL. He is hitting receivers at an elite MVP level , connecting to his targets with pinpoint accuracy. Goff’s 37 passing touchdowns with only 12 interceptions led to a passer rating of 111.77 %.
Lions Goff To LaPorta Connection
But one area where the Lions could gain an advantage is with tight-end production. The Commanders have struggled defensively this season against tight-end scoring, giving up 710 yards and eight touchdowns to opposing teams. By contrast, the Lions gave up 665 yards to tight ends with only three touchdowns.
LaPorta’s 6’3″ 245 lb. physical presence makes him an attractive red-zone target for Goff. If LaPorta gets open, he could make a significant impact on the Lions’ game. Saturday night’s contest presents just one more hurdle for the Lions in their magical quest for Super Bowl greatness. LaPorta peaking at just the right time could be the deciding factor in a close game.
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