Get ready for some drama on the gridiron! Sunday’s Lions-Vikings showdown has an extra dash of spice, and it’s not just because of the classic NFC North rivalry. The sizzling storyline? Lions offensive guru Ben Johnson is about to go head-to-head with Vikings defensive wizard Brian Flores in what feels more like a chess match with a side of personal history. These two masterminds have some shared chapters in their football story that’s adding extra zing to this already juicy matchup.

When Flores took over as head coach of the Dolphins in 2018, one of his first moves was firing then-wide receivers coach Ben Johnson. Reflecting on it now, Johnson seems unfazed. “He had a staff already in his head with whom he wanted, so I was let go, and that was that,” Johnson said in a pre-game interview. He said it with a slight grin on his face, and that grin said a lot more than what Johnson did. And this Sunday night offers Johnson an opportunity to showcase how far he’s come.

Johnson’s journey since his Miami dismissal is remarkable. After joining the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach, he steadily climbed the ranks. Today, he orchestrates the NFL’s most explosive offense. They are averaging 33.3 points per game and top the league hands down.

Now, facing Flores’ defense offers a chance for poetic justice. Especially since this defense has propelled the Vikings into playoff contention this season. However, Johnson downplayed the drama. “Listen, I knew of him because he’s a Boston College guy, and that’s where I did my GA spot… I met him at the combine a couple years ago. Seems like a great guy, has a great reputation,” he said. On the other hand, the Lions, are gunning for the NFC’s top seed, making this duel more than just personal stakes. Flores, for his part, remains tight-lipped on the potential rivalry.

However, he did extend credit where it’s due. Talking to reporters on December 30, the defensive coordinator said, “Ben is one of the best in the game as far as calling it…Big, big challenge for us.” And he’s not wrong. Since Flores joined the Vikings in 2o23, they have lost all three matchups against the Lions—a 3-24, 30-20, and 31-29 loss in December 2023, and January and October last year, respectively.

“It’s a talented team. Across the board they play physical. They don’t really have a lot of weaknesses. Normally, you watch the tape, you say, ‘Hey we’re going to attack them here.’ That’s not really the case with this group. So, really from the backs, to the tight ends, to the receivers, to the o-line, to the quarterback, to the play caller, all of it is high level. They do a really nice job.”

“There’s not a lot of weaknesses here. They got a really good group. They’re well coached. They’re physical. They can play a variety of styles. … They got a lot of speed. They pose a lot of problems. It’s a major, major challenge,” Flores said.

Flores’ biggest challenge? Handling Lions’ QB Jared Goff. This season, the 30-year-old has given up just 10 sacks—the seventh-fewest in the league so far—with 4,398 passing yards, 36 total touchdowns, and a passer rating of 113.6! In the team’s October clash against the Vikings, Goff completed completed 10 of 11 pass attempts for 164 yards and 2 TDs. No wonder Flores is concerned…

Top Comment by Tlr

They’re 14-2 not 12-2 babu moshay

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“I mean, they got a really good o-line. He gets the ball out quick. The receivers get open, quickly. I think he [Goff] knows where his receivers are going to be, they know that he’s going to get the ball to them in a certain place. The o-line knows that if they’re inside-out on this one, he’s going to have a pocket to step up in. All those things, they’re really playing together as a team,” he said. But, don’t underestimate Vikings’ QB Sam Darnold.

Though unable to eclipse Goff in stats, the 27-year-old has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. He also leads the league with 13 games with at least a 100.0 passer rating, narrowly behind future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers (who holds the NFL record with 14 games). In fact, Darnold has been selected for Pro Bowl for the first time in his career this season. The scale can tip in any direction now, it seems!

With both teams standing at a 14-2 record (and the Lions leading the NFC North division), a win will guarantee not just being NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, getting home-field advantage and a first-round bye, but also the NFC North title. And not to mention that the loser will have to continue as the fifth seed without a break. The stakes are high, alright.

But, also on stake is Flores’ reputation. His decision to fire Johnson will now face a different kind of scrutiny: the scoreboard. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning, with the Lions aiming to clinch the division. The tension is palpable, and Johnson’s offense versus Flores’ defense is the headlining act. Yet the Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell seems as cool as a cucumber…

Dan Campbell’s measured tone as Lions chase NFC supremacy

Lions head coach Dan Campbell has taken a more subdued approach. “I mean, this is exciting,” Campbell said. “But it’s not like it’s the playoffs,” Dan added somewhat downplaying the importance of this clash. Which in turn also brushes off the Johnson-Flores narrative. Campbell’s strategy mirrors the Lions’ playoff mindset.

“For where we’re at, it’s the next one and it is exciting, but we all know it’s still going to come down to the prep and we got to put the work in,” Campbell said on Wednesday. And his team has truly shown resilience, winning tight games against formidable opponents like the 49ers and Bears in the previous weeks. They’ve thrived under pressure, which Campbell attributes to their unity and preparation.

As the Lions prepare for their biggest game of the season, Campbell’s calming influence contrasts with the bubbling tension surrounding Johnson and Flores. “Man, you put your best foot forward and you give your guys all you can and you cut them loose and let them go make plays and see where you step up,” Dan said, focusing on the preparation. And his leadership ensures the team stays focused on the bigger picture.

This Sunday night promises drama on every level. For Ben Johnson, it’s a chance to prove himself against the coach who doubted him. For the Lions, it’s a critical step toward playoff glory. Will Johnson’s offense outshine Flores’ defense? The Lions hope so, as they aim to solidify their place atop the NFC.