The last time Darius Slay matched up with Davante Adams, well, take it from Slay.
"He got the best of me last year. He did a good job with that," Slay said on Friday. "I was looking forward to the last game of the year -- he didn't play -- to get my revenge. We'll see how that goes."
That matchup came in Week 5 of last season, when Adams caught nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in Detroit's 31-23 win over Green Bay at Ford Field. Most of his damage, including the touchdown, came against Slay.
"I wasn't down on my performance," said Slay. "I was just like, okay, he won. He won that battle."
And he didn't hide from it afterward.
"I told the whole world, I said, 'Man, this is the only guy that gave me 100 (yards),' so I got much respect for him. Every play we were grinding, battling, he made a lot of tough catches, 50-50 balls. He made the plays he needed to make for his team," said Slay. "I just say with me being a competitor, I just want to win my battle, I just want my rematch."
Slay was robbed of that rematch in last year's season finale, a 31-0 win for the Lions, when a knee injury kept Adams out of the action. And he might be robbed again Monday night at Lambeau Field when the Packers host the Lions. Adams missed Green Bay's win over Dallas last week with a turf toe injury and hasn't practiced this week.
At this point, it would be a surprise if he suits up against Detroit.
Slay, for his part, is hoping Adams plays. For one, he considers Adams a friend and wants to see him on the field. For another, he relishes any chance to compete against the best.
"It's always a battle, I love going against him," Slay said. "We've been rivals for so long, not real rivals, but we've just gone against each other for so long. I know he's one of the top guys. He makes me better every time I go against him, and I'm sure I make him better."
If Adams can't play, Green Bay's top receiver becomes Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Geronimo Allison and tight end Jimmy Graham pose threats as well. To Slay, the Packers are dangerous either way, thanks to the man under center.
"I mean, it's Aaron Rodgers out there. I don't think he cares who he's throwing it to," Slay said. "I'm not going to say (Adams) isn't an X factor -- he's a big X factor. He's good as hell, he's one of the top guys in the league. It's just the fact that Aaron Rodgers is the guy, too. But I'm praying for his health and hope he's out there."
