The Detroit Lions had high expectations coming into the season after how they finished the 2022 campaign, and they have clearly built on those successes this year with some help from potentially the best rookie class of the 2023 NFL draft.
Heading into a game against a Denver Broncos team that had won six out of their last seven games it was looking like Detroit could be set up for a tough match. Instead, Detroit’s pair of rookies dominated on offense and ended up leading a blowout win over the comeback Broncos.
Both Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta experienced career days on the afternoon where the Lions’ offense looks absolutely unstoppable. Gibbs managed to put together over 100 scrimmage yards and a pair of touchdowns, looking every bit of the explosive runner that Detroit thought they were getting when they took the running back with the 12th overall.
LaPorta was a big part of an excellent day for Jared Goff who ultimately tossed five touchdowns. LaPorta was responsible for three of those end zone visits, and also compiled 56 yards in the air. This puts LaPorta tied for fourth in the league for touchdown passes on the year with nine.
Both of these rookies are really coming into their own in this Ben Johnson lead offense, and they will undoubtedly be key pieces in the Lions’ playoff run. If this offense can keep humming behind them perhaps a Super Bowl visit could be in the cards for Detroit.