Keisean Nixon had his hero moment last season when he made an incredible play against the Kansas City Chiefs. The cornerback’s keen eye for Patrick Mahomes proved to be the game-changer and allowed the Green Bay Packers to clinch victory with a score of 27-19.
The play, however, wasn’t made in the spur of the moment but was a product of many hours of smart work prior. The cornerback revealed how he had caught on to a certain sign, which helped him intercept it at the right moment and stop Mahomes’ pursuit. In a recent interview, Nixon opened up about his big moment last season.
Keisean Nixon’s play “sealed the game” for Green Bay
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
During an appearance on the Up & Adams Show, the Packers cornerback was asked about his iconic play against Kansas City. “Let’s just go back, let’s just enjoy this. It’s Patrick Mahomes; he’s the best, maybe ever, best right now for sure. What do you remember about this play?” asked Kay Adams.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“That one sealed the game, honestly,” said Nixon. “That play helped us in the 4th quarter. We was winning and they was driving. We had just got a big penalty on a play before that was a PI call, and that really sealed the game for us.” The CB couldn’t be more on-point. His crucial interception put a halt to the Chiefs’ run and gave Green Bay the field goal they needed to cement their lead. The Chiefs managed to regain the ball, but not for long, and the Packers ended with a Saturday Night Football win. So, the burning question remains: how did Nixon make that play at the right moment?
Nixon watched Mahomes’ “mannerisms tapes“
Football isn’t just a game of muscles and speed but also intelligence. It’s the football IQ that helps players make and break stellar plays and makes them stand out. When Mahomes aimed a pass at teammate Skyy Moore at the first-and-10 at Green Bay’s 49-yard line, one gesture of the quarterback caught the cornerback’s eye, which allowed Nixon to preempt the offense’s moves.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“We were watching mannerism tape earlier in the week,” the cornerback revealed the play’s back story, as per SI. It was while watching Mahomes’ tapes that Nixon noticed an interesting move. He saw it at the SFL game the next time, and it didn’t take long for him to put two and two together. “And [he] tapped his knee, and they put two off the ball, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve seen this before.’ I knew he was gonna run it, and he ran it.”
Keisean Nixon gave us one of the rare moments in the NFL when Patrick Mahomes was overpowered. Moreover, it wasn’t with brute strength or chance, but clever and dedicated hours of practice and hard work behind the scenes.