The Detroit Lions are coming off of their first playoff win since the early 1990s and are favored by 6.5 points to win another playoff game in Motown.
The Lions got an update on a star receiving option for QB Jared Goff recently that could shift the balance of power in Sunday's game. Opposing Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield responded to a diss from Lions safety CJ Gardner-Johnson.
With Sunday's game scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, many scenarios are being projected for what could be a much closer contest than anticipated.
Mayfield and the Bucs have played spoiler all season and boast one of the top receiving duos in the league in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. If Mayfield gets untracked early, the game could be on Jared Goff's shoulders to win.
That's why it's incumbent on the Lions to have a healthy, active and productive Sam LaPorta on Sunday, the Lions' X-factor for beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and punching their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.
LaPorta is the Lions' X-Factor
A rookie from the school that is quickly becoming ‘Tight End U,' Iowa, Sam LaPorta has met and exceeded expectations this entire season for the Lions.
He is big enough to excel as an inside blocker vs. linebackers and quick enough to excel vs. cornerbacks as an outside receiver. There are few if any tight ends in NFL history who can do what LaPorta does, but most NFL fans haven't woken up to the reality of how good he is just yet.
LaPorta broke NFL legend Keith Jackson's record for most receptions by a tight end this season.
While Amon-Ra St. Brown's seven catches for 110 yards against the Rams did not go unnoticed, LaPorta's clutch touchdown catch in the back of the end zone was a taste of what he can do when healthy.
LaPorta's Injury Update
The Lions' head man Dan Campbell spoke candidly about LaPorta's injury status and performance against the Rams on Wednesday.
“I was impressed. He (LaPorta) helped us. He was not 100 percent, but he helped us win that game,” Campbell said. “He did exactly what we needed him to do for that game.”
LaPorta's knee bent back at an odd angle in the Lions' final regular season win against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field, adding to concerns about his health.
If LaPorta is able to at least provide a red zone and short yardage threat against the Bucs, it will make life more difficult for the Lions' challengers on Sunday.
“He's coming along,” Campbell continued. “He's gotten better, he feels better than he did this time last week. That's encouraging. I go back to this… For a young player that doesn't know what this is and I'm not 100 percent, to be able to… He knew he could get this done. And he can help us. It goes a long way. That's not an easy thing for a young player.”
Goff's Playoff Odyssey
Goff led the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2019, falling to Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots 13-3.
What fans don't realize is that the Rams' top rusher Todd Gurley was held to 35 yards that night.
Goff also didn't have a weapon at the tight end position like LaPorta, who has fast become a top 3-5 overall tight end in the NFL.
If Goff and the Lions' X-factor can play anywhere near his potential, it could open things up for the rest of the offense en route to another historic playoff victory at Ford Field in front of over 66,000 screaming Detroit fans.
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