Talk: What has surprised us the most about the Detroit Lions in the first half of 2023?
Breakdown down the biggest surprises of the first half of the Detroit Lions’ 2023 season.
The Detroit Lions’ 2023 season was unquestionably successful in the first half. With two games in hand over the rest of the NFC North, the Lions are tied for the second-best record in the NFL following two 3-1 quartets.
Before the season began, the majority of Lions supporters had high expectations for the team. In fact
However, some of this team’s developments have probably surprised even the most upbeat of supporters. At this stage of the season, few people predicted the Lions would have a top-10 defense (by DVOA). Fewer still anticipated that after eight games, Alex Anzalone would rank among the best players on that side of the ball.
Which of the Detroit Lions’ 2023 season’s first half surprises you the most?
In response, I would say that Sam LaPorta’s season is officially underway.
Even after a very strong offseason that had me thinking LaPorta could be more impactful than the typical first-year tight end, I don’t think I had anything like this in mind. To give you a sense of how special his rookie season is, his 434 receiving yards already ranks as the 54th-best season for a rookie tight end—that’s if he doesn’t catch a pass for the rest of the year. Even if he gets just 100 more yards, that would catapult him 26th in NFL history—one ahead of the franchise record set by Charlie Sanders in 1968 (533).
But here’s the thing: LaPorta’s receiving is only half the story from the rookie’s fantastic season. He’s been an active, physical, and effective blocker in the run game. It hasn’t been perfect and he was humbled a couple times on Monday against a guy like Maxx Crosby (who wouldn’t be?), but overall the run blocking has been way more impressive than some of predecessors. His 63.6 PFF run blocking grade ranks eighth (of 38) among tight ends with at least 100 run blocking snaps.
