Cardinals coach calls Detroit Lions’ defensive game plan ‘unique,’ ‘fascinating’

Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett praised Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for a "unique" and "fascinating" defensive game plan following Detroit's Week 5 victory in Arizona. The Lions deployed an uncommon strategy by running simultaneous bracket coverage against Arizona's top two receiving targets, wide receiver Michael Wilson and tight end Trey McBride, during key third-down situations.

The defensive scheme forced Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett to look elsewhere, as McBride and Wilson accounted for a combined 68 percent of the team's season targets. The approach proved effective, causing Arizona to fail on 10 of 18 third-down attempts and suffer five consecutive three-and-outs.