5 Arizona Cardinals Who Must Step Up vs. Lions
By Shaun Church
Cornerback Patrick Peterson
Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) points to the crowd during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Peterson has been very good this season. Through four games, the four-time Pro Bowler leads the NFL with a 33.3 percent completion rate against him and is seventh with a 52.4 passer rating against, according to PFF.
This week, Peterson’s assignment is easy: Follow receiver Calvin Johnson wherever he goes. It’s what he does every time these two teams meet—this is the fourth straight season they have played and the fourth such matchup of each player’s career.
The first two times Peterson and Johnson matched up, each star “won” once. Peterson picked off Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in coverage of Johnson during Arizona’s 2012 victory; Johnson beat Peterson for two touchdowns the next year.
Last season’s game was a push.
Peterson doesn’t need to be perfect against Johnson this week. Stafford has had difficulty getting Johnson the ball at the rate to which the two are accustomed. But it’s still something to watch, because if Johnson gets behind Peterson, Stafford will let it go to his 6’5” receiver.
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