Sam LaPorta leads a big day for Lions' tight ends against Bengals

LaPorta's longest reception of the day came in the third quarter as LaPorta took a short pass from quarterback Jared Goff 29 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the Bengals' 41-yard line. The Lions would score on that drive to increase the lead to 28-3.

LaPorta's TD was his first of the season, and according to the Lions PR, his 18 career TD receptions are fourth in franchise history among TEs. LaPorta's 92 yards are also a season-high. Those 92 yards now account for a third of LaPorta's total yardage through five weeks of the season. Lions fans, and LaPorta fantasy owners, can breathe a sigh of relief.

Brock Wright gets a TD of his own in unconventional fashion

Wright has long endeared himself to Lions' fans. His numbers rarely ever jump out, other than his game-winning 51-yard TD against the New York Jets in 2022. He's just been a reliable backup over the years, whom Goff has plenty of trust in.

Goff isn't the only passer with trust in Wright, as Cincinnati-native running back David Montgomery threw a three-yard TD pass to him. The trick play was similar to the one Montgomery threw to LaPorta during National Tight End Day in 2024, right down to the same yardage.

READ MORE: How one Bengals draft decision changed the Lions forever

The TD reception was Wright's second of the season and 11th of his career. His career high in TD receptions is four, which he set in 2022. Wright only caught one more pass on Sunday, which went for six yards.

Combined, LaPorta and Wright caught seven passes for 101 yards and two TDs. That may seem like an average day for wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, but it's a welcome sign for the Lions' TEs to produce such numbers. Especially given how invisible WR Jameson Williams has been lately. If Goff is going to lean on TEs more in the coming weeks, then Sunday is a great start.