The Green Bay Packers had a great Thanksgiving, as they defeated the Detroit Lions 31-24 to improve to 8-3-1 on the year. Matt LaFleur defeated Dan Campbell at his own game, going a perfect three-for-three on fourth downs. Now, they are still in the thick of the NFC North race.
One day after the Packers won, the Chicago Bears maintained their first-place lead after picking up a 24-15 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. With that, the Bears are 9-3 on the year. It just so happens that the Bears will face the Packers twice in the next three weeks.
Packers fans will be hearing Bears head coach Ben Johnson's comments about LaFleur during his introductory press conference early this year. Johnson talked about the NFC North's success last season, and took a dig at LaFleur and the Packers.
"I've got tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and the players in this league. I have competed against them the last six years. Dan Campbell, Kevin O'Connell, you talk about two guys that are up for Coach of the Year Awards as the season ends here. And to be quite frank with you, I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year," said Johnson.
Matt LaFleur and Packers have chance at revenge on Ben Johnson for introductory press conference dig
At the time, many Packers fans may have written down these comments to use earlier in the season if the Bears tumbled down to the bottom of the NFC North standings. Instead, the Bears have been one of the biggest surprises of the year. Now, their two head-to-head matchups in Weeks 14 and 16 may very well determine the NFC North champions.
Johnson did get the better of LaFleur during his time as offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. Taking on the role in 2022, the Lions beat the Packers five out of six times. Last year, in his final year as offensive coordinator, Johnson and the Lions got a season sweep over the Packers.
LaFleur did respond to Johnson's comments back in April during an appearance on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast. When asked if he had "beef" with Johnson, LaFleur responded by saying he didn't know him. While he did say he respects him as a football coach, he did have some interesting comments. When asked if he would use Johnson's comments as motivation, LaFleur said, "potentially."
"I respect him as a football coach. He did a nice job," LaFleur said. "I thought the press conference was interesting, but I don't have beef with him."
It's no secret that the Bears and Packers are one of the most historic rivalries in the NFL. The Bears haven't had much luck against the Packers of late. Prior to their win late last season, the Bears lost to the Packers in 11 consecutive head-to-head games. Bears fans are obviously banking on Johnson, one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates in recent memory, to further turn around their luck, and that's by picking up wins over the Packers.
The Packers are focused on winning the division from the Bears, but Johnson's comments may very well motivate them even more.