After spending the season taking shots at the Minnesota Vikings throughout the entire 2019 season, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has suddenly changed his tune about Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins and his team after the Vikings upset win over the Saints in the Superdome.

Let’s face it, Mike Florio is just another ‘talking head’ employed by NBC Sports. He’s the owner of PFT, a former labor lawyer, and longtime sportswriter who was born and still lives in West Virginia.

In his Wikipedia bio, it’s stated that Florio is also a” lifelong fan of the Minnesota Vikings.”

If this is true, then I sympathize, I commiserate, I absolutely comprehend his consistent bitterness with most things in regard to that team. But it’s time for the guy to grow up over the fact that the purple-and-gold has let him down for his entire life.

Hey, Mike–join the club.

A specific animus of Florio’s is Kirk Cousins, the Vikings quarterback that he has blasted vehemently from the time he signed a guaranteed contract with Minnesota. After a 2018 season where expectations were not met, Florio tore into the Vikings and Cousins after four games of 2019.

In his column at Pro Football Talk, Florio called out the inadequacies of Cousins and what could only be construed as the mediocre ability of the Minnesota Vikings at just about every turn.

With Minnesota at 2-2 this year, Florio wrote about the Vikings’ Week 5 game in New York against the Giants:

“The biggest matchup in this game is Kirk Cousins vs. Kirk Cousins. But if the Vikings can run the ball, run the ball, and run the ball against a not-so-good Giants’ defense, Cousins won’t have to win the battle with himself. This week.”

The Vikings won that game by a score of 28-10. Kirk Cousins went 22 for 27 for 306 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. He ended the game with a passer rating of 138.6, nearly perfect

The next week against the Eagles, Florio wrote this:

“The up-and-down Vikings should be up again this week since they’re playing at home. And since the game isn’t in prime time.“

The Vikings crushed Philly, 38-20. Cousins; 22/29, 306 yards, 4 TDs, one INT (off a receiver’s hands) and a passer rating of 138.4.

After Minnesota’s fourth consecutive win in which their offense averaged 32 points a game, made their record 6-2, and saw Cousins selected as the NFC’s offensive player of the month in October, the Vikings traveled to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9.

Florio’s prediction for the game?

“If the Vikings are going to have a special season they need to win this game. Spoiler: The Vikings are not going to have a special season.”

The Vikings run game struggled against KC while the defense gave up 147 yards on the ground as well as numerous big plays in the air. Although Cousins threw three touchdown passes in the game, Minnesota lost by a last-second field goal.

Next week, Florio wrote about the Vikings game in Dallas:

“Another big game for the Vikings and Kirk Cousins. Another big opportunity to change the narrative that Cousins can’t deliver in a big spot. Another failure to get it done.“

In Dallas, Cousins played brilliantly, the run game worked to perfection, and the Vikings got it done in Texas, 28-24.

Before blowing the doors off of the L.A. Chargers 39-10 in California to go to 10-4 on the season, Viking fans were able to read the jaded Florio send out this little encouragement on PFT:

“This is a dangerous game for the Vikings, one with just enough playoff implications that Kirk Cousins could blow it.“

Don’t Call The Playoffs Special

Finally, upon the Vikings preparing to do battle with the Saints last Sunday, the “lifelong Vikings fan” or “former lifelong” Vikings fan spouted his acid prediction for the game.

“Saints 27, Vikings 10. It will take more than a miracle for the Vikings to upend one of the best teams in the league. Minnesota won’t even have a chance without a potent running game that makes it easier to move the ball through the air. Even though Dalvin Cook is healthy, the Saints defensive front should be able to bottle him up, and in turn to make the Vikings offense one-dimensional. The Saints, who shouldn’t even be playing in this round, advance to the next one easily.“

Somehow, some otherworldly miracle occurred and the Vikings made it out of the fateful Superdome with a victory. QB Kirk Cousins led the Minnesota offense down the field on a single overtime possession with crucial throws that gave his team a massive upset win.

Though many were stunned, Florio seemed to take the Vikings victory in the stride that he’s accustomed to–having no responsibility for whatever he had said before in abject criticism–almost mockery–of a player and a football team.

He and his goofy partner, former NFL QB Chris Sims, actually joined in on the celebration that Minnesota enjoyed after their big win.

Incredible.

Mr. Florio, we now understand just who Mike Zimmer was talking about when he laid into “bandwagon” fans who can’t keep their salty mouths shut when it comes to their team losing. Nor can they offer anything less than harsh judgment on a player they either don’t like or don’t think has met their personal expectations.

Teams win big games, dude. Now find yourself another one.



