Week 13 of the 2023 NFL season: What We Learned From Sunday’s Games

Around The NFL breaks down everything you need to know from Week 13 of the 2023 NFL season. Using the links below, you can catch up on each game’s key takeaways:

The Lions take an early lead and hold on late in New Orleans. Detroit sprinted to a 21-0 lead in the blink of an eye, thanks to big offensive plays and a Brian Branch interception. Jared Goff sliced up the Saints defense with precision passes. Sam LaPorta was easily discovered. It appeared that the Lions were annihilating their opponents in the early going.

Then the lulls that had appeared in recent weeks reappeared. The Lions went three-and-out three times in their next five possessions and failed to convert in the red zone, allowing the Saints to re-enter the game. But Detroit did not wither. After New Orleans cut it to five points, the Lions ground out two first downs to seal the game. With the game on the line, Detroit handed the ball to Goff. On third-and-7, the quarterback snuck a pass to LaPorta. After two runs, the Lions faced another third-and-long. Goff broke through pressure and connected with Josh Reynolds for the game-winning first down. These are the big plays that winning teams make in crunch time.Then came the lulls that had appeared in recent weeks. The Lions went three-and-out on their next three possessions and failed to convert in the red zone, allowing the Saints to re-enter the game. But Detroit did not perish. After New Orleans cut it to five points, the Lions sealed the game with two first downs. With the game on the line, Detroit turned to Goff. The quarterback snuck a pass to LaPorta on third-and-7. The Lions faced another third-and-long after two runs. Goff escaped pressure and connected with Josh Reynolds for the game-winning first down. These are the big plays that winning teams make when the game is on the line.LaPorta was left exposed by the D. After Carr fumbled the ball, it was possible for Detroit to regain a double-digit lead. After taking a severe hit, Carr (concussion/back/shoulder) left the game for the third time this season. Jameis Winston took over, but he was unable to finish the comeback because he missed multiple passes in crucial moments. Dennis Allen’s team gave it their all to make a play, but the Saints lost for the third time in a row as a result of the same problems that have plagued them all season.

1. Lions D makes key plays but continues to struggle to get off the field. Detroit’s defense earned two turnovers on the day and generated a key fourth-down stop in the first quarter. The turnovers were massive in a close game, but they were more the product of offensive errors than forced by the defense. The interception should have been a caught pass, and the fumble was self-inflicted by the Saints. Credit Detroit for taking advantage on Sunday — not having linebacker Alex Anzalone (hand) also hurt. But Dan Campbell’s D continues to give up massive yards (362 in Week 13), including big plays on third downs. For a 9-3 team to bat with the big boys in January, Detroit must find a pass rush and stiffen up down the stretch.
2. Next Gen stat of the game: Sam LaPorta, a tight end for the Lions, caught all nine of his targets for 140 yards and a touchdown, with plus-55 receiving yards above expectations. This marked the first time in his career that a tight end gained more than 100 receiving yards.
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4. NFL Research: Sam LaPorta recorded the most receiving yards of any rookie tight end in Detroit history in Week 13 with a career-high 140 (nine receptions, touchdown). With over 140 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in a game, LaPorta became just the second rookie tight end to do so since 1970. In Week 12, 1995, he teams up with Pete Mitchell (161 yards, touchdown) of Jacksonville.The Dolphins defense proved that it is capable of winning even in the absence of Jaelan Phillips. It felt like a huge blow to a team that was sure to make the playoffs when Jaelan Phillips sustained a season-ending injury last week when the Dolphins defense was playing at its peak. But in its first game following Sunday’s defeat by the Philips, Miami’s defense played brilliantly, quickly opening the pocket around quarterback Sam Howell and keeping the Commanders from setting up a run game.