Notebook: Lions Assistant Battling Illness, Defense Preparing for Justin Jefferson

Lions' defense has a tough challenge against Vikings receivers.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has multiple challenges this week. 

Not only must he devise a scheme against Brian Flores, but Detroit's talented play-caller is also heading into the team's Week 16 road contest under the weather. 

“I had a coach in college that used to say, ‘You never really understand how much the human body can withstand.’ Everyone always underestimates it, and I heard him. And, it fell on deaf ears at the time, when I was in college," Johnson explained to reporters. "But then, I had kids, and it started to resonate a little bit more that, ‘Yeah, OK, you’re tired or you’re not feeling good. Well, they still need you. They still need you.' So, you get up, and you do your job. 

"And I think for coaches, when we’re not feeling 100 percent and certainly with our players, none of them are 100 percent right now. We have an obligation to the people next to us to come through in a big way. So, I think our guys take a lot of pride in that, and that’s no different here this week.”

Jahmyr Gibbs has been electric

Gibbs, the No. 12 overall pick in this past April's draft, has taken his game to the next level, after the first half of his rookie season was an acclimation period. 

"He's been electric really since he stepped on the field for us," said Johnson. "I don't know if I've necessarily seen anything out of the ordinary. I know he had the one 30-yard run last week, but I don't think any of us were surprised by it. So he's been consistent. It's the details for him, the landmarks in the running game, understanding in pass pro who he's responsible for. For not being a really big guy, he is more than willing and he continues to get better in that area. That's probably the one department that we continue to see going up and up. But the run game has been pretty solid all year long." 

Brian Flores' knowledge of Jared Goff

Minnesota's defensive coordinator is an experienced assistant coach who has the Vikings defense executing at a high level. 

While Goff is an experienced veteran, Flores is likely honing in on the veteran's play the past two seasons, as opposed to using past film of his days with the Rams to aid in his preparation. 

“I’m sure he knows how Jared and some of his style. I think Jared has evolved over the years, so we aren’t running the L.A. offense, per se. We’ve got some elements of it, but Jared has grown as a quarterback as well," Johnson said. "So, if there’s anything that he’s going to draw from in his past, he also has to keep in mind the recent tape of Jared, where he’s a little bit different player than he was a few years ago. And same thing with him, and his Miami stuff that he put on tape there. They’ve got some carryover things, but not all of it, so it’ll be a good battle here this week.”

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Dealing with Minnesota's offensive weapons

Minnesota features tight end T.J. Hockenson, rookie wideout Jordan Addison and star receiver Justin Jefferson. 

Addison has been heavily targeted, and has recorded nine touchdowns this season, while averaging over 13 yards per reception. 

"Yeah, well confidence, that’s a big part of it, as with any rookie. His confidence is clearly up, and you can tell that as an offense, quarterback, all of them, play-caller, that they have confidence in finding ways to get him the ball," said Dan Campbell "And, the things that you liked about him coming out of the draft is what’s showing up, man, he is a – he’s a pure outside receiver. He’s a very crafty route runner. He’s got a vast route tree, really good hands. So, he’s just, he’s developing. I mean, if you’re them, you’re pleased with where he’s at right now, that’s for sure.”

Jefferson had two distinctly different games against Detroit's defense last season. 

For Aaron Glenn's defensive unit, the hope is that one-on-one battles with the star receiver go its way, to avoid Justin Jefferson recording over 200 yards receiving. Jefferson was able to accomplish just that in one of Minnesota's meetings with Detroit last season. 

"Look, there’s nothing easy about going against him, and now that you’ve got Addison on the other side, you’ve got (T.J.) Hockenson, obviously at the tight end position and they’ve got a run game. So, that makes it difficult," Campbell expressed. "I just go back to this, the resources you’re going to use to try to slow him down and then it opens up other avenues, here. And, there again, if you’re going to do that, that means the other guy’s got to be able to win their one-on-ones, you have to. So, there’s nothing easy about it. 

"I know this, we can’t let him have 200 yards again. I mean, that’s the most obvious. So, we’re going to have to have some answers," Campbell commented further. "He’s getting back in the flow. The other day he’s, you can start to see that he’s getting back, and he’s going to be even better this week. They’re going to want to get him the football, and he is, he’s a dynamic football player. And, if he’s not the best, he’s one of the best at the position. So, it'll be a challenge. It’s going to be a challenge.”