When the Lions began training camp in July, they were expecting big things from defensive standouts 
He was trying to win a job with San Diego after having been released by Chicago after six seasons with the Bears. He was one of the Chargers' last cuts and when Detroit needed help in the secondary, the former Pro Bowler was signed.
All three players made key defensive plays in the fourth quarter Sunday to help the Lions defeat Miami 34-27 for their third straight victory.
Levy picked off one of quarterback Chad Henne's passes and returned it 30 yards for the winning touchdown with 2:11 remaining.
"It took me back to my little league days," Levy said. "We were in cover-2 and I saw the route develop. I'm running the deep middle and I saw Henne eye the slot receiver all the way, trying to sit him down right in front of me.
"I kind of just gambled to jump over it. If there was someone over my head it would have been another story but I gambled and it worked out for me."
Levy showed some nifty moves on his way to the end zone, breaking one tackle and eluding another.
"At that time in the game you just want to do what you can for your team," Levy said. "We battled hard. We struggled the first 3 1/2 quarters but we finished when it counted."
Vasher intercepted one of Henne's passes at the Miami 36-yard line to set up the 47-yard field goal by
"Levy's interception for a touchdown and my interception, plays like that turn the momentum and guys start rolling with that," Vasher said.
Vasher, who was a starting cornerback for Chicago's 2006 Super Bowl team, came up big again when the seconds were ticking away and the Dolphins were driving for the tying touchdown.
He tackled Miami running back Ronnie Brown after a short gain and kept Brown from going out of bounds to stop the clock. Time expired before the Dolphins could run another play.
Moments earlier, Suh, who had a sack, a forced fumble and five tackles, leaped high to bat down one of Henne's passes.
"We just had to turn up the intensity," Vasher said. "It was what we weren't doing in the first half -- executing. Guys came out in the second half with a lot more energy. For the past couple weeks we've been learning how to win and close out games in the fourth quarter and this is just another example of that."
Vasher, who made eight tackles, said that the Lions are approaching each game with a positive mindset.
"It's about having high expectations for ourselves and going out every week and getting the payoff on Sunday," Vasher said. "Guys are really gelling now, playing at a high level, playing together. That's all you can really ask for, especially in the latter part of the season.
"We've shown a lot of resiliency and a lot of fight. That's all our coaches ask us to do -- go out there and compete."
Miami got a one-yard touchdown run from Brown with five seconds remaining in the third quarter to take a 24-17 lead. After that the defense tightened. Brown was stopped on a third-down play and the Dolphins had to settle for a 28-yard field goal from Dan Carpenter with just under 10 minutes remaining.
That was the last of the Miami scoring. Levy explained how the defense improved as the game went on.
"I think it's just a confidence thing," he said. "Earlier this year we were in those situations a lot and things didn't work out for us. The last couple weeks they did. I think we came out of halftime with the mindset that we've got to step up. We were playing a little soft, a little timid, a little tentative for the first three quarters. Maybe we were still filled with the Christmas spirit, but we finished when it counted.
"That was the emphasis -- finish, finish finish. Do what we can do to get the offense the ball. And if we get a chance to get out there again, let's win this game."
The Lions have continued to compete, especially on defense, with key injuries at almost every position.
Detroit has played the last several games without defensive end
"That's been the story all year, somebody stepping in and playing," Vasher said. "
The defensive effort pleased coach Jim Schwartz.
"We played with a lot of guys on defense (missing)," Schwartz said. "Both of our corners are guys that weren't with us at the beginning of the year. Nathan Vasher and Tye Hill were able to get out here and play and find a way to get it done.
"It wasn't always pretty, but we found a way."
The Lions would like nothing better than to end the season on a four-game winning streak. Detroit hosts Minnesota in the season finale next Sunday.
"It's huge," Vasher said. "The biggest game coming up for us is the one next week. We'll enjoy this one, but know in what direction we want to go as a team. We're taking the right steps to get there."
