Matt LaFleur can join a select NFL club if the Green Bay Packers prevail in what should be an enthralling NFC North clash with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
LaFleur has enjoyed a stunning start to his head coaching career in Green Bay, guiding the Packers to two NFC Championship Game appearances in the past three seasons.
He has compiled a 39-10 regular-season record, and no head coach has won more games in his first three seasons, with LaFleur surpassing George Seifert, who won 38 after taking over from the great Bill Walsh with the San Francisco 49ers.
Should he guide the Packers to triumph in Minnesota, LaFleur will become the third head coach in NFL history with 40 wins through 50 career games, joining Paul Brown (41) and Chuck Knox (40).
The Packers lost a 34-31 thriller on the road against the Vikings last year and, while the outcome is far from guaranteed, there is a strong chance this game will also be high scoring.
Indeed, in their 22 road games against the Vikings this century, Green Bay have scored 30 or more points in 10 of them. That is tied for the most 30-point games by an NFL team at a single opponent in that time with the New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills.
The Packers will not have Davante Adams after his blockbuster offseason trade to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Yet history says Aaron Rodgers will have no problem putting up points despite the departure of his former favourite target.
Since becoming Green Bay’s starter in 2008, Rodgers has thrown 169 touchdowns against division opponents compared to 25 interceptions.
By comparison, the Vikings have 121 passing touchdowns and 73 interceptions against the NFC North in that span.
A trip to Minnesota represents an early test of the Packers' Super Bowl credentials, but the numbers point to them passing it and LaFleur bringing up win 40.