Darius Slay is off to a strong start to the 2022 NFL season, playing at an All-Pro level through three games as the Philadelphia Eagles are 3-0 and the only undefeated team in the league. Being the last unbeaten team has its merits, even as Philadelphia put the league on notice with a dominant victory over the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football” in Week 2.
Slay was the star of a dominant defensive effort in that convincing victory. Targeted eight times as the primary defender in coverage, Slay allowed just two catches for 19 yards and finished with two crucial red zone interceptions off Kirk Cousins in the win. Cousins had a 0.0 passer rating targeting Slay.
Justin Jefferson was held to just six catches for 48 yards on the night, only had one catch when Slay was covering him. In fact, both of the red zone interceptions by Cousins was a result of Slay covering the star wideout.
On the “All Things Covered” podcast with Bryant McFadden and Patrick Peterson (who plays for the Vikings) this week, Slay told the cornerback duo how he was able to shut down Jefferson — something NFL defensive backs haven’t been able to do since Jefferson entered the league.
“When you’re a young and talented guy, man, you think everything works. I’ve played this game so long — I know what you’re gonna do. I know your tendencies, I know what you like the most,” Slay said. “He had a lot of tales for me to steal on film. Young guys don’t see, but I see that because I like to watch film a lot. Every tale I did was truthful.
“The first pass breakup I had, it made me confirm that’s what he does. That early? It’s gonna be a long night for anybody. No matter what type of talent you have or how much better you feel like you are than me, that means I really got your tale on what you do.
“What I watched on film and what I watch how his release is … that’s why I made the plays I did.”
Jefferson had just one catch for six yards when Slay was his primary defender in coverage, this after a game which the Vikings receiver had nine catches for 184 yards in Week 1. Slay’s passion for film study showcased how he was able to beat Jefferson.
“I can’t give them all out,” Slay said. “I’m a guy that just needs to determine whether a guy does an outside release or inside release. From what I watched from Jefferson, he had certain releases that he liked to do. I just knew for a fact that…
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