Watch: Sam LaPorta makes absurd TD catch vs. Commanders

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Watch: Lions TE Sam LaPorta makes absurd one-handed TD catch vs. Commanders

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 9:40 PM ET

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff should thank second-year tight end Sam LaPorta for bailing him out on a key play in Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Washington Commanders.

Early in the second quarter of Detroit's home game, Goff was pressured on a 1st-and-goal and threw a pass before he fell.

While it wasn't a perfect pass, LaPorta still made an impressive one-handed two-yard touchdown catch, giving the Lions a 14-10 lead.

LAPORTA OMG.

: #WASvsDET on FOX
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oHR4IPBHYx
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025

LaPorta — a former second-round pick out of Iowa — broke out during his rookie season, catching 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdown catches in 17 regular-season games. He also earned a second-team All-Pro nod.

LaPorta backtracked slightly this season. In 16 regular-season games, he finished with 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdown catches. He suffered a hamstring injury in training camp, which probably hampered him.

However, if he finds his groove, that should make the Lions' passing attack more dangerous. Detroit finished second in the league in passing yards (263.2) in the regular season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: