Packers may have uncovered a shutdown CB duo no one saw coming

For all the preseason questions about the Green Bay Packers' defense, Thursday night was a resounding answer.

Green Bay's corner pairing of Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine delivered their best performance of the early campaign, locking up Washington's playmakers and setting a tone that carried through the night.

Against Jayden Daniels -- the reigning OROY and an electric young talent capable of extending plays -- and wideouts like Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, the Packers' corners didn't just survive. They thrived.

How good can Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine be together?

Valentine, the third-year corner out of Kentucky, continues to build on what has been an intriguing start to his NFL campaign. His physical style, patience at the line of scrimmage, and ability to recover downfield gave Daniels little room to exploit. Time and again, Valentine was tested deep, and time and again he answered with sticky coverage, forcing Daniels to pull the ball down or check it short.

For a team that entered the year searching for long-term stability with Jaire Alexander now out of the picture, Valentine is proving he can be more than just a stopgap. He looks like a legitimate, high-end starter with inside-out versatility.

Then there's Nixon, a player most fans knew as an All-Pro kick returner before his defensive role expanded. On Thursday night, he reminded everyone that his skill set translates just as well to corner.

Nixon played with poise against McLaurin, using his physicality to disrupt routes and denying Daniels clean throwing windows. His versatility has also shown up in the slot, where he's held his ground against the likes of Samuel and Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown in Week 1. The confidence is contagious, and it has seemingly bled into the rest of the secondary.

Together, Nixon and Valentine gave defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley the freedom to get aggressive. With coverage holding firm on either side, Green Bay was able to dial up more pressure packages, forcing Daniels into hurried decisions. The result? A Washington offense that looked disjointed for most of the night, unable to consistently hit chunk plays through the air.

What makes the tandem so intriguing is how well their skill sets complement one another. Valentine brings length, youth, and a developing technician's mindset. Nixon brings quickness, veteran savvy, and a competitive edge. Neither shies away from contact, and both embrace the physical side of the position, whether it's pressing receivers or fitting the run downhill.

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It also points to the bigger picture in Green Bay: a secondary that may be deeper and more versatile than outsiders think.

For now, Thursday's performance is a statement. The Packers don't just have a return ace moonlighting as a corner or a late-round pick trying to survive. They have two ascending players who are showing they belong in every game plan conversation. Against Daniels, McLaurin, and Samuel, Nixon and Valentine turned potential mismatches into a showcase of resilience and execution.

Green Bay's secondary has long needed a spark. On Thursday night, its cornerbacks provided one -- and if Nixon and Valentine keep trending upward, the Packers' secondary could soon be one of the league's biggest surprises.