LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears head coach Ben Johnson certainly relished beating Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Green Bay last Saturday.
At his introductory press conference last January, Johnson took a verbal jab at LaFleur by mentioning that he enjoyed beating him twice a year during his time as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, and the Bears' come-from-behind 31-27 victory against the Packers in the wild-card round Saturday was his biggest win over LaFleur yet.
Now Johnson will have to face another LaFleur come Sunday in the divisional round – Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, the brother of Matt. He’s a key lieutenant alongside Rams head coach Sean McVay, who is also close with Matt.
Johnson understands that Matt LaFleur could lend his voice to his brother Mike and McVay, and he isn't concerned by that.
“That’s this league in general,” Johnson said Friday. “I think every week everyone tries to share what they had from the week before with your next opponent. I think that’s common practice. That’s something that you just keep on doing. Like I said all along, there’s a million ways you can do things, a million plays you can call. We’re going to do what we feel like is best for that particular week for the player that we have going against the opponent.”
The Bears-Packers rivalry has picked up steam since Johnson entered the fold and called out LaFleur, whom he didn't know personally previously.
Following the Bears’ win last Saturday night, Johnson and LaFleur had a tense and brief handshake. Johnson then went off to the home locker room to celebrate with his team, yelling “F--- the Packers” to his players.
Asked about that moment earlier this week, Johnson didn't walk it back.
“I don’t like that team,” Johnson said.
The Bears and Rams will kick off at 5:30 p.m. CT on Sunday from Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.