Lions movie breakdown: Amik Robertson shines in win over Minnesota

In what was one of many extra electrical atmospheres of the 2024 common season, the Detroit Lions took care of enterprise in Week 18 by soundly defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 31-9. In doing so, they completed with an ideal 6-0 document in-division, in addition to locked down each their second consecutive NFC North title, and the NFC’s one seed for the postseason.

It was an announcement win by all accounts, however particularly so for the protection. At this level, we all know all in regards to the accidents suffered on that aspect of the ball, and admittedly, I feel the gamers had been bored with listening to about it. Of their minds, they’ve sufficient expertise to nonetheless make it work, and on Sunday evening in opposition to Minnesota, they proved that after which some.

Up in opposition to the most effective skill-groups in all of soccer, no person stepped up extra for Detroit than cornerback Amik Robertson, as he was tasked with following Vikings celebrity receiver Justin Jefferson—a tall activity for any cornerback within the league.

“You can’t bury something that comes from the dirt,” mentioned Robertson after his unimaginable efficiency in opposition to the Vikings.

He and the remainder of the Lions secondary had Minnesota off-kilter for the entire recreation—limiting Jefferson to only three receptions for 54 yards on 9 targets.

Let’s get into the All-22 tape, and see how Robertson and the Lions protection was capable of decelerate the All-Professional receiver within the greatest common season recreation of the yr.

Setting the tone with physicality

Early on, you might inform that Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn had a really particular plan laid out as a way to decelerate Minnesota’s vaunted aerial assault: play a ton of bodily, and in-your-face man-coverage (one thing not plenty of groups love to do in opposition to Minnesota with the ability gamers they’ve), and warmth up Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold each time doable.

First up, we now have two examples from the primary quarter of Robertson being bodily with Jefferson on the line of scrimmage. In my view, one factor you do not need to do with Jefferson is give him a clear launch the place he can get into his route and have the defensive again at his mercy. With this in thoughts, it was clear Robertson wished to set a really particular tone early on. It doesn’t matter what occurred, Jefferson was going to really feel him.

Take a look at these two examples under from early within the first quarter of Robertson getting his fingers into the chest of his task. Usually, receivers aren’t going to love this form of factor from a cornerback—particularly if it persists all through the course of the sport.

Subsequent up, we’re leaping to early within the second quarter, with Robertson circled in the direction of the highest of your display screen, as soon as once more matched up with Jefferson on first down. He simply slips Jefferson’s block, and is ready to make the deal with on receiver Jordan Addison for a brief loss on first down.

Getting jammed routinely on the line of scrimmage, lacking blocks on extensive receiver screens —I consider all of this performed a component in getting Jefferson out of his rhythm early on within the contest.

Sticky in protection

One of many themes of the sport was Minnesota’s incapability to capitalize as soon as they received into the low pink zone. Time and time once more they got here up quick, identical to on this subsequent instance under. It’s fourth down from the Lions’ 3-yard line, and Jefferson is shipped in movement in the direction of the underside of your display screen.

Seeing Robertson journey with him, Darnold safely assumes Detroit is in man. He works via his progressions from proper to left as soon as the ball is snapped. Sadly for Darnold, Jefferson creates little to no separation from Robertson on a whip route, and the quarterback misses excessive, leading to a turnover on downs for the Vikings.

Quick-forwarding a bit extra to across the seven-minute mark within the second quarter, and as soon as once more Minnesota is deep in Detroit’s territory. It’s first down and Darnold is in an empty formation, with 5 receivers cut up out extensive.

This time Robertson is circled in the direction of the highest of display screen, manned up with Jefferson, and this will have been my favourite play from him all evening. Watch Robertson flip his hips as soon as Jefferson breaks again in the direction of the center of the sector to try to give Darnold someplace to go together with the ball. He performs it about as good as you possibly can, and practically comes away with the interception within the course of. Simply a wonderful play that ought to function teach-tape for younger defensive backs in every single place.

This subsequent rep was negated by a ticky-tack penalty referred to as on Lions defensive again Brian Department, however I’m nonetheless together with it. One other whip route from Jefferson, and what ought to have been one more go breakup for Robertson on an evening the place he was given a recreation ball by Lions coach Dan Campbell.

Leaping ahead to the second half now, and it is a rep that certainly warmed the guts of Glenn and the remainder of the defensive teaching employees. It’s second-and-goal and Minnesota is in 12 personnel (one working again, two tight ends) with Jefferson in pre-snap movement in the direction of the highest of your display screen.

Darnold’s play faux and Minnesota’s offensive line do an incredible job of promoting this look dialed up by coach Kevin O’Connell. All the motion is supposed to occupy the eyes of the Lions’ protection, even for a second.

With Jefferson in movement, you possibly can see Robertson speaking along with his teammates in actual time, understanding they should change this as a way to cease Minnesota from scoring.

As a substitute of getting Jefferson the ball on a pop go, Darnold retains the ball and slides to the left. Concurrently, Vikings working again Aaron Jones releases from the proper aspect of the formation and into the flat in the direction of the left aspect of the sector. Even the route run by Addison (circled in blue) is supposed to impede Robertson’s potential to make this play on Jones.

Not fooled by the entire deception from Minnesota, Robertson acknowledges the place he must be and is ready to make the deal with on Jones for a brief achieve. This was a wonderful design from O’Connell within the pink zone, and in plenty of conditions—it most likely would have resulted in six factors for the offense.

Now watch the clip at full pace, and I feel you’ll have a fair higher appreciation for the intelligence that Robertson performs the place with.

Total, it was one other large win for a Lions workforce that doesn’t care who’s out of the beginning lineup. They consider they’ve the expertise to make it work—it doesn’t matter what. And gamers like Amik Robertson are a giant purpose why that perception is so robust.