How the Green Bay Packers Can Slow Down Calvin Johnson in Week 5

The Green Bay Packers have their first division game of the season on Sunday when they face the Detroit Lions, who are coming off an impressive Week 4 win over the Chicago Bears.

One of the biggest problems the Packers have had in their first three games has been the play of their secondary. With the best wide receiver in the game—a.k.a. Calvin Johnson/Megatron—coming to town, Green Bay desperately needs to figure out how to slow him down.

Johnson is off to another fantastic start to the season with 21 receptions, 312 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the first four games.

Let's take a look at how the Packers can be effective against the best receiver in the game.

Who Covers Him?

In years past, deciding who would cover a team's No. 1 receiver was a pretty easy decision. Over the past few seasons Green Bay's Tramon Williams has established himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league.

Unfortunately, injuries have taken their toll on Williams recently and he isn't quite playing up to the level that the Packers are used to seeing from him. Williams has graded out as the 29th-best cornerback to start the season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

While Williams may get a chance on Johnson, he isn't the Packers' best option to slow down the talented receiver. That honor goes to Sam Shields.

Shields has had an up-and-down career with the Packers, but his play in Week 3 against another elite receiver proved that he is the best choice to cover Johnson. Against A.J. Green of the Cincinnati Bengals, Shields gave up only four receptions on seven targets for 46 yards and a touchdown. Shields also recorded an interception in the first half of that game.

Simply put, Shields should get the first crack at slowing down Johnson.

How Shields and the Packers Can Be Successful

When a team goes up against a player like Johnson, it needs to specifically game-plan for him. The game plan that was so successful for the Packers in slowing down Green in Week 3 should also be successful in slowing down Johnson.

The play below occurred late in the second quarter. The Bengals have Green running a nine-route. Shields is lined up in man coverage and safety M.D. Jennings is going to be responsible for the middle of the field.

After the snap, Shields simply turns and runs with Green. His elite speed is clearly shown on this play. You can also see Jennings keeping his eyes on quarterback Andy Dalton.

Once the ball is thrown, Green turns his head to find the ball. Once Green turns his head, Shields turns around to track the ball, as Jennings is running full speed to the ball to provide extra coverage on Green.

The result of was an incomplete pass due to the perfect coverage of Shields and help from Jennings.

When the Lions come to town, you can be sure they'll try to beat the Packers deep with Johnson. If the Packers want to successfully slow down Johnson and the Lions' deep passing game, this type of defense from Shields and the secondary will be key.

While there is no way that the Packers can completely shut down Johnson, they can hope to slow him down. By using Shields' speed and extra help over the top, the Packers can contain the best receiver in the league and have a great shot at winning in Week 5.