The New York Giants are heading into a week eight matchup against the Detroit Lions with a measly 2-5 record. Both teams are coming off of disappointing losses in week seven.
In this matchup, both teams will also be without key impact players due to injury. Two players that would have been matched up with each other. The New York Giants will be without Sterling Shepard as he is still dealing with his second concussion of the season. On the other hand, the Detroit Lions will be without their star cornerback, Darius Slay.
Slay is a two-time Pro Bowl-selected player, and was once a First-Team All-Pro. The Lions’ defense will miss him greatly, but fortunately for Detroit, and unfortunately for New York, Darius Slay’s replacement is playing great football so far this season.
How Good Has Justin Coleman Been?
Justin Coleman is the Detroit Lions’ slot cornerback and he has been playing at an All-Pro level so far this season. Detroit signed Coleman to a four-year, $36 million contract this offseason and he has lived up to the deal so far.
Coleman plays the nickel corner position, which means he will be guarding the Giants’ slot receiver. The Giants’ starter in the slot is their primary receiver, Golden Tate. Golden Tate will be guarded by Justin Coleman, giving Golden a tough matchup this Sunday.
Coleman has been making plays on the ball at a consistent rate this season. He has already recorded 9 pass breakups this year through only 7 games, 1 breakup shy of his career-high mark of 10 breakups in the entire 2018 season. Check out this impressive, touchdown-saving pass breakup by Coleman against the Chiefs:
Justin Coleman ????#KCvsDET
(via @NFLonFOX)
— PFF (@PFF) September 29, 2019
Justin Coleman has been the Lions’ best player on defense this season. He is posting an impressive Pro Football Focus score of 74.5, which ranks 16th of all cornerbacks in the NFL and top-ten for all slot cornerbacks in the league. The Giants are going to have a tough time working the ball to Golden Tate when Justin Coleman is lurking around.