The rivalry between Ben Johnson and Brian Flores will once again take the spotlight as the Detroit Lions face the Minnesota Vikings in a highly anticipated finale.

Since the beginning of 2023, their matchups have been captivating, pitting the Lions’ offensive coordinator against the Vikings’ defensive coordinator.

Both Johnson and Flores oversee top-tier units in the NFL.

The Lions boast the league’s highest-scoring offense, averaging 33.3 points per game, while the Vikings rank fourth in scoring defense, allowing just 18.8 points per game.

“(Flores) does a great job. Every week, you try to find a vulnerability to exploit, but this defense doesn’t show many,” Johnson remarked. “It’s been consistently strong for two years now.”

While Johnson has immense respect for Flores’ defense, the Lions have dominated their matchups, going 3-0 in their last three meetings. In each game, Detroit scored over 30 points.

Their most recent encounter in Week 7 resulted in a 31-29 victory for the Lions at U.S.

Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Detroit amassed 391 total yards, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 22 of 25 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

Heading into Week 18, the Lions are hitting their stride offensively, averaging 37.5 points across their last four games.

“They’re firing on all cylinders, starting with the quarterback,” Flores said.

“Their offensive line, backs, receivers, and tight ends are all performing well. Ben is one of the best play-callers in the league, so it’s a big challenge for us.”

Both coordinators bring unpredictability to their game plans. Flores utilizes exotic blitzes, coverage disguises, and versatility in his defensive schemes.

The Vikings lead the league in blitz percentage (39.9%) and rank eighth in pressure rate (35.5%). In their Week 7 matchup, Minnesota’s pass rush overwhelmed Detroit early, helping the Vikings take a 10-0 lead.

“Flores always has something unexpected,” Johnson said.

“Last week, Matt LaFleur (Packers head coach) mentioned they didn’t anticipate as much man coverage as they got early on. As a coaching staff, we must stay sharp and adapt if something unforeseen comes up.”

Meanwhile, Johnson’s offensive creativity is unmatched.

His repertoire includes an array of trick plays, like last week’s hook-and-ladder involving Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams for a 42-yard touchdown.

The previous week, Johnson called a play nicknamed “Stumble Bum,” where Jared Goff faked a fumble before throwing a touchdown to Sam LaPorta.

“Ben has a deep playbook,” Flores noted. “You have to be ready for anything.”

The upcoming game, featuring two 14-win teams for the first time in NFL history, is a high-stakes showdown.

The winner secures a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, while the loser faces a challenging road game in the wild-card round.

To prevail, both coordinators must bring their A-game. However, their track records suggest they are more than capable of rising to the occasion.