Week 11 matchup

Williams can beat defenses deep, is fearless across the middle and has the leaping ability to win nearly every jump ball. Winfield is an elite corner with great cover skills. He plays bigger than his size (5-9, 180) but gives up 5 inches and more than 30 pounds to Williams, so look for him to be very physical with Williams.

Williams will try to get over the top to open up the underneath area for the Lions' other receivers. If Winfield can handle him, the Vikings will be able to commit safeties to the box and underneath routes. Otherwise, they'll have to roll coverage to Williams and won't be able to crowd the line, opening the opportunity for the Lions to run.

Expect quarterback Joey Harrington to spread the ball around to set up Williams for big plays. Williams will try to beat Winfield with double moves, and Winfield will try to keep Williams in front of him.

The Lions will run Williams out of bunch formations to get him a free release off the line and send him on crossing and seam routes between the corner and safety. Williams' favorite route is a 15-yard crossing pattern. If Winfield uses technique that emphasizes stopping inside routes, expect the Lions to break Williams outside with a post corner route. Winfield has the speed to run with Williams on vertical routes and the physical style to handle him on crossing routes and deep patterns. But he doesn't have the size to outjump Williams, so also look for fade routes. In the red zone, the Lions will line up Williams as a split end and try to set him up with a pick so he can get inside and over the middle. Advantage: Williams.

More matchups: warroom.sportingnews.com

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