The Detroit Lions have impressed many people this season, and with a 10-4 record, they seemed primed to do some damage come playoff time.
In particular, their offense has been very potent, and they rank near the top of the NFL in several important offensive categories.
One player who has led the charge is rookie tight end Sam LaPorta — he’s second on the team with 71 catches and 758 receiving yards, and he leads Detroit with nine receiving touchdowns.
Shannon Spake says that LaPorta is playing so well because of the tutelage he received at the University of Iowa, and she particularly pointed out his blocking abilities.
What makes rookie TE Sam LaPorta so great?@ShannonSpake says it all starts with @HawkeyeFootball
: https://t.co/JQH85rbkUZ pic.twitter.com/uDL3zKIwn9
— NFL on FOX Podcast (@NFLonFOXPod) December 22, 2023
LaPorta’s stats at Iowa weren’t ground-shattering — in four seasons there, he totaled 1,786 yards and five touchdowns — but his time there under head coach Kirk Ferentz is paying off.
In the 2022 Citrus Bowl, he had over 100 receiving yards for the first time as a college player, and he was named to the All-Big Ten first team as a senior.
On Saturday against the Denver Broncos, LaPorta scored three touchdowns as the Lions had their way with Russell Wilson and company in a 42-17 win.
He has helped his team rank fifth in scoring and first downs, fourth in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns.
Detroit may not be ready to win the Super Bowl or even get there, but they have been discussed as a team that could give the San Francisco 49ers, the team currently favored to win it all, some problems in the postseason.
They certainly have the firepower, not to mention the running attack, to do just that.
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