Brian Flores and Matt LaFleur will match wits Sunday for the first time in 2024, pitting the NFL's top defense against a play-caller who turned Malik Willis into a threat the past two weeks.
"Well, we certainly got one of the best coming up, as far as offensive coordinators," the Vikings defensive coordinator said of the Packers coach on Tuesday, via SI.com. "I've had my share of tough days against LaFleur and his offenses, dating back to when he was in Tennessee."
Flores' defense has been sensational through three weeks. The Minnesota D has generated 16 sacks (5.3 per game, most in the NFL) -- no team has averaged five sacks per game over an entire season (NFL record: 4.8 by the 1967 Raiders). The Vikings have allowed 30 total points in 2024, their fewest through three games since 1988.
The last defense to allow 10-or-fewer PPG and average five-plus sacks in the first three games of a season was the 2006 Ravens (finished 13-3, lost in the Divisional Round).
Meanwhile, LaFleur has turned Willis from a disaster in Tennessee to a playmaker. In two starts with the Titans, the QB earned a 39.0 passer rating -- he'd have generated a 39.6 figure by launching every pass into the stands -- with three interceptions and a 51% completion rate. Willis has a 126.3 passer rating in two starts under LaFleur, completing 75.8% of his passes with two touchdown tosses and zero INTs and adding 114 rushing yards and another score on 12 carries.
Regardless of whether Willis or Jordan Love starts, LaFleur has reminded the football world that he's a master play-designer who can build a game plan to suit any situation.
"Quite honestly, we have to do everything we can to stay ahead of a guy like Matt," Flores said. "I think for Matt to go in his bag and be a West Coast guy and then turn around and he's got this whole zone read/RPO/counter read, that's pretty impressive. And I don't think it's being talked about enough. It's impressive to watch. He's obviously a very, very good coach. One of the best in the league. This will certainly be a challenge, regardless of who the quarterback is."
Love is expected to be limited in practice early in the week, with LaFleur noting the club will take it "day-by-day." The Packers coach has no reason to tip his hand on who might start. Instead, the mastermind will keep Flores guessing -- and preparing for either option.
"Obviously, he's got a menu of different styles of play. He tries to stay ahead of the defense, clearly," Flores said. "They run it, they screen it, they drop back, they play action, they RPO, they got everything, which can try to keep you off balance. Some guys just have a knack for calling a game a certain way and he's done a great job with that for a long time."
With first place in the NFC North on the line, two of the best minds at their respective jobs will match wits.