This season has gone exceedingly well for the Minnesota Vikings. Despite incredibly lackluster projections, they have surpassed those feelings just halfway through the year. Kevin O’Connell could have his team picking up their ninth win of the season Sunday against Chicago. That doesn’t mean everyone believes in them, and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has had enough.
Minnesota Vikings can’t convince Mike Florio they are good
Although Mike Florio is a prominent national voice, he’s also a Minnesota Vikings fan. He routinely appears on KFAN to talk with Paul Allen, and there will always be a level of fandom to his assessment of the team. That means he has also experienced plenty of heartbreak over the years. It seems pretty evident that is holding back his feelings regarding this current iteration.
“The past two games, the past three games have been so fricken boring. There’s no excitement in watching the Vikings play. There’s something missing. I think it’s because they’re playing teams that they should be kicking the sh-t out of and they’re not. It makes me wonder what happens when they come up against a really good team. I mean, look at the Jaguars. 12-7. They the go to Detroit and it was the worst attack by a lions since Montecore. 52-6. Worst loss in franchise history for the Jaguars. Biggest win in franchise history for the Lions. They don’t screw around. I feel like the Vikings can’t deliver the knockout blow. It’s just hang on, and hang on, and hang on. It’s just not fun to watch games like that where there’s never that uprising. It’s just like, there’s a lead, can they hold it?”
Mike Florio on Minnesota’s recent performance (KFAN)
There are plenty of times where Florio’s opinions can be dismissed as overblown, but it’s hard to suggest he’s wrong here. This isn’t like when he was calling for Minnesota to trade Sam Darnold for Matthew Stafford. This isn’t an overreaction. The Vikings have played two bottom-feeders in recent weeks, and they largely failed to put them away.
When Minnesota goes to Chicago this weekend, they have another chance to make a statement. This Bears team isn’t good, and even in making coaching changes, Caleb Williams still has yet to prove anything. The offensive line gives up sacks in bunches, and Brian Flores should put him on his back often. Ultimately though, Florio doesn’t see that happening either.
“This feels like a Chicago win. They’re better than 4-6, and the Vikings don’t deserve to be 9-2. The Bears’ offense has improved, and Sam Darnold can be counted on to make a mistake or two.”
Mike Florio picking Chicago to win 24-21 (Pro Football Talk)
There’s always something to happen at Soldier Field. The playing surface is a mess and the Vikings have struggled to complete season sweeps. They did win on the road last season, and they need to grab another divisional victory on Sunday. Maybe if Minnesota can put up the all around performance that O’Connell
Minnesota is closing in on the end of their three-game road stretch. It would be great to seem them make a statement before they return home against the Arizona Cardinals.
