How Darius Slay, Lions Defense Shut Down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers Offense

The Detroit Lions defense overwhelmed Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers' offensive attack in Week 3's 19-7 victory. In fact, Detroit's defense outscored Green Bay's offense by recording a safety and returning an Eddie Lacy fumble for a touchdown. 

The beatdown marked one of the worst days in Rodgers' vaunted career. 

"

Aaron Rodgers threw for just 162 yards, or his second worst total in a game he's started and finished (142 v. MIN in 2008).

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) September 21, 2014"

Heretofore, Rodgers had been a Lions killer. In 10 career starts against Detroit he won nine times. His one loss came in a game he departed in the second quarter with a concussion.

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In 9 starts vs. Detroit (with a minimum of 15 attempts), Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is 9-0 with 19 TDs, 4 INTs and a 114 passer rating.

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 17, 2014"

With the Detroit secondary missing its top two slot corners and starting safety James Ihedigbo, Sunday's game shaped up quite favorably for Rodgers and his targets.

The Lions desperately needed the rest of the secondary to step up or else risk another blowout loss. Second-year cornerback Darius Slay rose to the challenge. 

Slay spearheaded an outstanding coverage performance by the Detroit defensive backs. The pass rush did generate some pressure, bagging two sacks and forcing the quarterback to roam out of the pocket several times. 

Even when Rodgers had time to throw, the coverage often held up impressively. Slay was particularly sticky in man coverage, often blanketing Jordy Nelson all over the field. 

As Zach Kruse of Bleacher Report noted, "Nelson led the NFL in catches, targets and receiving yards through two weeks." But facing off largely against Slay, he barely got a sniff. 

NFL Game Rewind

Nelson caught two of his three targets matched up with Slay, totaling 11 yards, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Slay ceded just one other catch for two yards on the day.

"

Darius Slay allowed 3 catches for 13 yards against Green Bay

— Detroit Lions Fans (@DetLionBlood) September 23, 2014"

Here's a play that highlights Slay's superlative coverage.

It's 1st-and-10, and the Packers are looking to strike quickly. Nelson splits wide to the right, with Slay (circled in blue) closely marking him in a press look. Rashean Mathis is doing the same to Jarrett Boykin on the opposite side of the formation.

The play design here is to get Nelson free deep in single-man coverage, with the secondary option being the slot receiver dragging across the intermediate range in the middle. 

	Receptions	Targets	Yards	20+ yard gains
Games 1-2	18	30	292	3
vs. Detroit	5	7	59	0

Notice the safety on Slay's side; Isa Abdul-Quddus is providing help to the inside. He also has either back flaring out to his side, which means Slay essentially is on an island outside. 

Several things happen right off the snap. Foremost is Nick Fairley exploding past center Corey Linsley and actually getting past running back James Starks before Rodgers can execute a play-action fake. Fairley's bold burst removes any threat of the run, which allows the linebackers to quickly drop deeper into coverage. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With DeAndre Levy getting great depth (he's the blue line in the middle) and all three corners being in perfect lockstep with the wide receivers (the circles), there is nowhere for Rodgers to throw after he spins away from Fairley's paw. 

As the quarterback rolls to his right, Slay is so tight on Nelson he could tell you what scent of deodorant the wideout is wearing. As Nelson sharply curls out and back toward Rodgers, Slay does so in perfect coordination without using his hands to help. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Abdul-Quddus reads the harangued quarterback's eyes and undercuts the route just as Rodgers lets the ball fly. He gets a hand on the ball as Nelson dives forward, with Slay still on him tighter than is allowed in middle school dances. 

That play also highlights a principle the Lions defense tightly adhered to all afternoon: keep the action in front of it. 

I've now watched the game three times all the way through, including one viewing on the All-22 coaches tape. Green Bay broke a receiver past the last line of defense exactly once all day, twice if you count the great catch in tight coverage at the back line of the end zone by Andrew Quarless for the Packers' lone touchdown. 

Again, Slay led the charge. Here is one of the completions he allowed to Nelson.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Once again, Slay is isolated on Nelson on the right side of the formation. This time the corner is playing off the line, giving a five-yard cushion on 2nd-and-15. Green Bay has added a tight end to the side, with the dual purpose of slowing up the outside pass rush as well as occupying the linebacker from helping on Nelson.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Nelson is clearly Rodgers' primary target, as the Packers quarterback never looks anywhere else. The goal here is a quick completion to allow the nifty wideout to pick up yards after the catch. Nelson sharply breaks back for the ball, but Slay immediately reads it and drives on him.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

There is contact before Nelson has even landed both feet back on the ground. Slay wraps with textbook technique and terminates the play for a short four-yard gain. If he doesn't react so quickly, Nelson has room to operate after the catch and turn a short pass into a long gain. 

Perhaps the most encouraging facet of how well the Lions pulled this off is that it is eminently replicable. Even with the rotating cast in the slot, keeping the play in front of them is a basic concept that is easy to teach and execute. 

Slay's strong play also appears here for good. He's demonstrating confidence and anticipation in coverage that were both largely missing during his inconsistent rookie season.