The Skoloholics Mailbag – The seven AND ONE MAILBAG

Good Morning!

Just like I did previously expect a lighthearted answer to any question(s) but I’ll give you an answer…a wrong answer is still an answer though.

For salary cap questions I’ll continue using overthecap.com so I’m consistent with the numbers.

Any trades involving draft picks I’m using the updated NFL Trade Value Chart developed by Rich Hill available at https://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart-Rich-Hill.asp

For evaluating or looking up draft prospects or rookies my go to is thedraftnetwork.com

If I can’t come up with what I think is a legitimate answer, I’ll ask someone who I think can provide one.

If you’re on Twitter, and you have a question about the Vikings, the draft, fantasy football, or life in general, tweet us a question with #Skoloholicsmailbag or you can dm me on Twitter (Rob@DN1). If you do, please let me know what your username at Skoloholics is unless I already know it. You can also leave your question as a mention in either Twitter account.

Preferably, you can leave a comment in the mailbag post, I’ll revisit it later in the week.

Enough from me, let’s see what was on everyone’s mind.

Ben slid into my DM’s on Twitter with a question:
The Vikings appear to be a good team but were not competitive in the one game they played against a decent team (hard to evaluate the Miami game with the third string string QB/injured Teddy). The fast start is great but this team feels a bit like the 2003 team. Do you think Justin fields can channel his inner Josh McCown and make a last second play to beat the Vikings on last game of the season and make Paul Allen scream “NO, NO… there are Minnesota Vikings crying on the field!” or do they make the playoffs only to lose in embarrassing fashion?

*Fields is (maybe) a good player on a roster depleted team, the Bears have gone full tilt rebuild this year and probably won’t be competitive for another season or two if then. McCown was a capable career backup…good job if you can get it. I can’t see this version of the Bears pulling an upset to derail the Vikings qualifying for the playoffs. Any given Sunday of course but I think the Bears veteran players will have their golf clubs packed and tickets out of Chicago booked.
As for the playoffs, let’s see how the rest of the regular season goes and whether the injury bug finally bites the Vikings.

Skoldiers pondered: What are the Vikings odds both statistically at this moment and your gut feeling Vikings nab the first overall seed for playoffs?

*I went to 538 to look up the odds, here’s what they have to say:
*Make Playoffs: >99%
*Win Division: 98%
*1st Round Bye: 13%
*Win Super Bowl: 7%
*Still a lot of football left in the season, the way the Eagles are playing I’m not sure they will give up the 1st seed.

Northwoods asked: Should the team dial back their public celebrating after barely eeking out a win over teams they should have dominated? The latest videos show them just shy of popping champagne. I’d hate to see them get crushed by someone and lose their vibe, like someone coming down off a major sugar high, be unable to recover from it and spin off a series of losses.
In the past, the humble underdog role has made for a better presence.
Or am I just victim of seeing them for so many years without a good reason to celebrate?

*I’m going to assume you’re referring to the videos posted by the team on the Vikings homepage, keep in mind those are highly edited and manicured to project the image the team wants the fanbase to see…in other words, they are trying to influence us. Remember when Kwesi and O’Connell were hired they talked about synergy? The team through Vikings entertainment media are continuing that message. That said, I’m enjoying the “Kirko” persona, but the bottom line is they have to prepare each week and win.

Peterplaysbass pondered: If the Vikings go 1-3 over the next four games, will the fanbase still be hyped about what could happen in the playoffs?

*If the Vikings went 1-3 over the next four games that would certainly take some of the shine off the season, however even if that happens I don’t see the Vikings not winning the division and would be able to right the ship before the playoffs. My prediction is 3-1, the most important game for playoff seeding is the Cowboys.

PA Viking Fan asked: So far we have seen a nice progression of improvement from the D, but not so much from the offense. With a gifted group of weapons, as well as a few obvious holes (did someone say right guard), are we at the stage of “what we see is what we get” or will the offense start to gel, if so what game?

*The next four games are against teams with very good defenses, so likely no offensive explosion, however the addition of Hockenson has already paid dividends. Lost in the current record is the fact Kirk is not playing well; he has the lowest AYA of his career and for a while the Vikings were leading the league in 3 and outs. Also, the Vikings running game is averaging 102 yards per game, good for 24th in the league…both Kirk and the running game have to improve if the Vikings are going to continue winning and progress beyond the 1st round of the playoffs.

Pirateflip pondered: Given the possibility of no Josh Allen, do the Vikes get another “tainted” win against our old friend Case Keenan if he is indeed out?

*I see a lot of that “tainted win” garbage on Twitter but to me the bottom line is winning in the NFL consistently and especially on the road is difficult at best; no matter who the Bills put at QB if the Vikings win it counts. That said I hope Case plays well and earns himself a bunch of money at the end of the season.

Northwoods asked:  On the Skoloholics home page, why is there a link to “more recent posts” when they clearly are the older ones?

*I’ll defer your question to Brad since he’s the head honcho. I know he’s working with the developers about the layout.

Rob pondered: Give us a score prediction:

* Vikings 20, Bills 17 with Allen out hurts their very explosive offense.

Thanks for everyone who took the time to ask questions, look for our next mailbag next week after the Bills game.

Skol!