The Minnesota Vikings are getting ready to take on the Los Angeles Rams in a NFC Wild Card game on Monday night but while the Rams got the upper hand in a 30-20 victory back in Week 8, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores believes his defense won’t be caught off guard in the rematch.
While speaking to reporters during Tuesday’s press conference, Flores admitted the Vikings were surprised by star receiver Puka Nacua’s return from injury. While Nacua played a major role in that game, Flores says his team will be prepared this time around.
“Quite honestly, we were a little bit surprised that he was out there,” Flores said via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “There was a little bit of scrambling.”
The Minnesota Vikings will be ready for Puka Nacua in NFL playoff rematch
Nacua was injured in a season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions on Sept. 9 and was still recovering as the Rams hosted the Vikings on Oct. 24. While Nacua had his practice window opened earlier in the week, he wasn’t expected to play until the Rams surprisingly activated him when active rosters were due 90 minutes before kickoff.
Nacua played a major role, catching seven passes for 106 yards and opening things up for Cooper Kupp, who also returned from injury to catch five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in the Rams win.
Nacua has also been one of the hottest receivers in football since his return, catching 75 passes for 955 yards and three touchdowns before sitting out last week’s 30-25 loss in the regular season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
Minnesota Vikings rematch with Los Angeles Rams will have different look
While Nacua returned in October, the Vikings will also have different personnel on the field. Tight end T.J. Hockenson did not play in the Week 8 loss as he recovered from a multi-ligament knee injury and linebacker Blake Cashman sat out the previous meeting with turf toe.
The loss of Christian Darrisaw was another major event that happened in that loss but the acquisition of Cam Robinson has softened the blow even if the Vikings have been unstable along the left side of the offensive line.
Either way, both teams will have to prepare differently than they did in the previous meeting and it should lead to an interesting matchup in Inglewood, California on Monday night.