Stopping the Detroit Lions offense in the past has often involved limiting wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to fewer than 50 receiving yards.
However, that’s rarely the case these days.
Against the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, St. Brown recorded 49 receiving yards. Nevertheless, the Lions prevailed 33-28 thanks to four touchdowns.
Without a doubt, St. Brown continues to be the Lions offense’s best receiving threat. However, he is no longer quarterback Jared Goff’s lone excellent option.
On December 7, St. Brown talked with media about how the Lions offense has become even more potent this season thanks to the emergence of playmakers on the squad.
St. Brown told the media, “I think it’s awesome when you have a bunch of guys in an offense that can make plays that are dynamic.” “It basically just gives guys more one-on-one opportunities and makes it difficult for the defense to cover everyone.”
“Nobody can be doubled. Attempting to double someone will make other males more available.
Sam LaPorta, a tight end, was that someone else in Week 13. The rookie tight end amassed 140 yards and a touchdown while catching all nine of his targets.
Lions’ Inventive Passing Attack
Despite playing in his first Pro Bowl the previous season, St. Brown is having an even greater 2023.
For the second straight season, St. Brown surpassed the 1,000-yard threshold in Week 13 despite only possessing 49 yards. It will only take him 122 yards more to reach a new career high.
St. Brown should easily surpass that prior career high in receiving yards with five games remaining. In addition, he is expected to catch 122 passes, which would be 16 more than his career-high 106 catches from the previous season.
Additionally, St. Brown has already tied the record he set in 2022 with six receiving touchdowns.
St. Brown is 24 years old and starting to reach his prime. However, he might also be gaining from the more tools in Detroit’s passing game this season.
Within the top five tight ends across all receiving categories is LaPorta. In his second season, Jameson Williams—who scored in Week 13 as well—is starting to show his true abilities.
One of the NFL’s top running back tandems is also on the Lions. Premier League rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs is third among the Lions in targets and receptions, while David Montgomery is averaging a career-high 78.2 rushing yards per game.
St. Brown commented, “It’s wonderful just to have a bunch of playmakers that can win one-on-one, like you said: Jamo (Jameson Williams), me, however it is, LaPorta, Jahmyr (Gibbs), David (Montgomery), Kalif (Raymond), Josh (Reynolds), whoever it is. “I mean, having it is wonderful.
It’s as if you use your poison as a bulwark. We will attempt to just turn around.
Lions Want to Make History as an Offensive Team
From a statistical perspective, Detroit is having a season to remember with all of its receiving weapons.
This season, the Lions are rated fourth in passing yards. Both their total offense and point total are second to sixth.
Detroit would have one of the top statistical offenses in the history of the team by the conclusion of 2023 if they ended the season in the same positions.
Since 2013, the Lions have not placed as high as fourth in the NFL in passing yards. But the Lions haven’t finished second in total yards since the 1997 campaign.
The Lions will have achieved that feat for the second straight season if they place in the top five in both yards and points in 2023. Since 1953–54, Detroit has not finished in the top five in both of those categories in consecutive seasons.
It’s difficult to imagine the Lions not maintaining their present pace and shattering some of these longstanding records with the way QB Aaron Goff has been throwing the ball and the variety the offense can offer.
