Two types. It takes two people to dance tango. The game can be played by two people.
The best defenses in the NFL understand that cornerback is a two-man job. On Sunday, the Chiefs will have perhaps the NFL’s best duo in action when they ask Rajarias Snead and Trent McDuffie to take on 49ers receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel in the Super Bowl. 2024.
“The way to beat the Chiefs is not to go into the game with a game plan that says, ‘Our receivers are going to win,'” NFL and CBS analyst Tony Romo told the Post. “That’s not going to happen against them. Those two guys are great. They’re aggressive at the line of scrimmage, they press consistently, they do a lot of tenacious coverage.”
For example, consider the Ravens’ first third-down pass in the AFC Championship Game when the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson threw an incomplete shot to Nelson Agholoa.
This set the tone for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to run one-on-one coverage down the field, inviting bad throws from Jackson, leading to three three-and-out possessions.
“He drops it a little bit because he’s out of rhythm and everything’s not the same as his sequence,” Romo said. “With those two, it’s easier for Spagnuolo to blitz. They put more pressure on them than usual because they trust them. Having that at their disposal is where they actually win games. That’s what makes it possible, because you can fill up a box and say, “Here, throw it.” We know this guy is going to have a hard time beating our players. ”
Thanks to the combination of Snead and McDuffie, the Chiefs’ secondary has somehow only gotten better (and younger) since Pro Bowler Charvarius Ward left for the 49ers in 2022 free agency.
“When you have a leader and you have two All-Pros in the room, [young] Guys can build and grow from there,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “They can watch their preparation, and that’s how they start preparing. It helps a lot because they get to want to be that kind of guy.”
This is The Post’s ranking of the NFL’s best cornerback duos, incorporating analysis and eye testing. Great players like Jaire Alexander of the Packers, Jaylon Johnson of the Bears, and Patrick Surtain of the Broncos, I apologize for not having a partner to share the load with in 2023. There are no reputation-based picks for the Eagles’ tandem either.
1. Sauce Gardner-DJ Reed, Jets
According to Pro Football Focus, Gardner is a two-time first-team All-Pro, allowed one touchdown catch in each of his first two seasons, and will be in the running to prevent receiver separation in 2023. led the NFL in
Reed and elite slot cornerback Michael Carter II actually make up the top trio in the league.
2. Snead McDuffie, Chiefs
McDuffie led all cornerbacks with 18 quarterback pressures and five forced fumbles and was named first-team All-Pro.
Snead, who was stripped of the same honor for tailgating the opponent’s No. 1 receiver around the field, was physical, resulting in 16 passes defended but 17 penalties (six rejected). was recorded.
3. Daron Brand-Stephon Gilmore, Cowboys
It could be another trio. Gilmore is a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is still playing at a high level, while Brand just set an NFL record by returning five of his NFL-best nine interceptions for touchdowns, a move he made ahead of Trevon Diggs. The 11 picks in 2021 are the most in a season since 1981. Diggs is limited to two games in 2023 due to injury.
4. Derek Stingley Jr. – Steven Nelson, Texans
In fact, the Texans boast four of PFF’s 31 highest-rated cornerbacks in 2024 (Desmond King, Tavierre Thomas).
However, according to NexGenStats, Stingley and Nelson each had five interceptions, including the playoffs, and were second in the NFL in ball-hawking rate (percentage of passes intercepted/percentage of nearest defenders) entering December. achieved high results.
5. Denzel Ward-Greg Newsome, Browns
A three-time Pro Bowler, Ward is the only NFL player since 1999 to have at least 10 pass breakups and two interceptions in his first six seasons.
Newsome thrived on his offensive style and had the best year of his career. The Browns allowed the fewest passing yards in the league.
6. Devon Witherspoon-Rik Uhlen, Seahawks
The sky is the limit for this young tandem.
Witherspoon was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year one season after Woolen finished third.
They are two of the fastest players in the league defensively and will now be coached by Mike McDonald, who had a great Ravens secondary.
7. Jalen Ramsey-Xavien Howard, Dolphins
Some would say this is number one going into the 2023 season.
Ramsey played in 10 games after returning from injury, living up to his Hall of Fame reputation.
Howard took a step back after making three straight Pro Bowls, but he still allowed more than 50 yards just three times and two total touchdowns.
