As much buzz surrounds the Chicago Bears after their Week 1 dismantling of the Carolina Panthers, the attention this week has immediately turned to a division matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
While the Panthers had worked plenty this offseason to improve their defense only for the Bears to post over 500 yards of offense, the Vikings represent a different type of challenge for Ben Johnson. Primarily due to the man in charge in defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Flores is widely viewed across the wider NFL landscape as one of the better names to hold his post. Even through the struggles of last year's Minnesota squad, the Vikings ranked seventh in total points allowed, third in total yards allowed, and second in passing yards allowed.
That
said, Flores views what the Bears offer on offense to be significant: “It’s a major challenge, and that’s what we all signed up for.”
While Flores described each week of game planning as a "chess match," he noted that a Ben Johnson offense, in particular, presents a number of different offensive styles that could be presented and the adjustments that'll be required on his own (and the defense's) part in order to be able to handle what Johnson has planned for their Week 2 matchup.
It's certainly meant to be read as complimentary from a top tier defensive mind in the league. Given the challenge that the Vikings, in their own right, possess on that side of the ball, Johnson will have to be ready to mix in exactly the way Flores described if the Bears are to carry the offensive momentum of the opening week into their first divisional game of the year.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Brian Flores discusses 'challenge' in facing Bears HC Ben Johnson
