Throughout much of this season, Sam LaPorta has been a key contributor to the Detroit Lions offense. It’s not overly surprising but at the same time, LaPorta is playing a position that tends to take a year or two of development to see the type of results we’re seeing right now.
So far this season, LaPorta is fourth in the NFL in receptions (64) and fourth in receiving yards (679) for tight ends. More impressively, he’s tied for the league lead for touchdowns at the position with six touchdowns.
Through 12 games of his young career, LaPorta has already put himself in the conversation to be on the same level of players such as Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Mark Andrews. Continuing to make his case, LaPorta had the best game of his career in week 13 against the Saints with 9 receptions for 140 yards and a score. Let’s jump into the film to review why he had such a strong performance against New Orleans.
Starting with his first reception of the day, it was one of the most important plays of the day. It was the second touchdown of the game and was a big part to the Lions hot start against the Saints.
Looking at the play above, the Lions come out with their 11 personnel (one tight end and one running back) in a 2×2 set. Aligned off-the-line of scrimmage, you can see LaPorta, who appears to be an H-back. Prior to the snap, quarterback Jared Goff sends LaPorta on an exit motion to the right of the formation. This gives the Lions a trips right formation as the ball is being snapped.
Once the ball is snapped, LaPorta explodes vertically up the field before breaking in towards the middle of the field. Initially, Jared Goff, eyes wide receiver Josh Reynolds on the post route that freezes the safeties in the end-zone. This gives a window for Goff to hit LaPorta in-stride as he heads to the end-zone. Goff does just that and it leads to the Lions second touchdown of the game.
Moving to the next play, I want to focus on the ability of LaPorta to run after-the-catch. This play was on the Lions 3rd drive of the game and it was the play that set-up the touchdown pass for Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Looking at the play above, you can see the Lions aligned in a twins right formation with their 11 personnel (one tight end and one running back). At the top of the screen, you can see LaPorta aligned as the lone receiver.
Once the ball is snapped, he runs a deep over and is able to shake off the initial contact from the safety that tries to tackle him. Afterwards, LaPorta is able to gain plenty of additional yardage after-the-catch.
Whenever a player goes off with 9 receptions, it’s hard to break down each one. That said, the best reception and best play of the day for LaPorta came on the play above. It was 3rd down for the Lions and they came out in a 2×2 set with their 11 personnel (one running back and one tight end).
Prior to the snap, LaPorta gets motioned to the left and it becomes a trips left formation. Once the ball is snapped, he runs a crosser over the middle of the field. Reading the Cover-1 man defense with the single-high safety, quarterback Jared Goff knows that he should have an opening to fit a pass to him.
As LaPorta starts to make his break, the opening is created. Despite the ball being thrown behind him, he makes a great adjustment and it was one of the most important plays of the day for this Lions offense.