Eagles' Darius Slay Has High Praise For Vikings' Justin Jefferson
Eagles cornerback Darius Slay got the better of Justin Jefferson last year, picking off two passes while holding the Vikings' superstar to 48 yards on 12 targets in Philadelphia's Week 2 victory.
In this year's rematch between the two teams, Jefferson was out to get his revenge.
"I can tell you for sure that he had this game circled," Slay said on his podcast this weekend. "Because buddy was locked in, he wasn’t talking as much. I tried to talk to him one time, I said 'Hey man, you ran a great route,' he ain’t say nothing. Last year, I told him that, he said something, said 'Man, appreciate that.' But at that time, I already had a pick, I was already having a good game. This game (it) was early and he ran a great route on me, I said 'good route.' He ain't say nothing. He got right back to the huddle. I said 'Oh yeahhh, he locked in.' Great battle, man."
The Vikings lost again on Thursday, turning the ball over four times and falling behind by 20 points before nearly mounting a late rally. But Jefferson got the better of Slay in their individual matchup, finishing with 11 catches for 159 yards on 13 targets.
Slay, a five-time Pro Bowler in his 11th season, was most impressed by Jefferson never leaving the field. He played all 58 of the Vikings' offensive snaps.
"Dude was amazing, man," Slay said. "I gotta give him the upmost respect. I've only seen one other receiver do what he does. This man do not come out the game. Only one other receiver that never came out the game when I guarded him was Antonio Brown. You usually have guys that play receiver, if they're the best ones, sometimes they get out on run plays. Not those two guys. I gotta commend them."
Jefferson was all over the field against the Eagles, making catches against some tough coverage from Slay. He had four catches that gained between 20 and 30 yards, including a near-touchdown that turned into a key fumble and touchback at the end of the first half. According to PFF, Jefferson caught seven of his eight targets with Slay in coverage for 88 yards and six first downs.
At one point in the second half, Slay nearly had an interception, but the ball went through his hands and Jefferson still found a way to catch it.
"The man was making crazy plays, crazy catches," Slay said. "I'm talking about very much contested. Every catch he caught against me was very much contested. They did a great job, too, with moving him around. That's what makes him so great, he can play outside, slot, he can line up in the backfield, he can do whatever he wants to do because that offense is built around him."
The Eagles won the game, but Jefferson became the first player since Steve Smith Sr. in 2011 to start a season with consecutive 150-yard outings. Heading into Week 3, he leads the NFL in receiving yards by 43 over Rams rookie Puka Nacua.
Whenever it happens, the next matchup between Jefferson and Slay will once again be appointment viewing.
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