The Skoloholics Mailbag – The EIGHT 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, 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.

Bekah687 pondered: New to Skoloholics… This is my first ever post! Been a fan since 1997–or at least that’s the year I vividly remember watching with my dad at age 10. Wild Card game against the Giants, Vikes won 23-22. And then went on to get destroyed by the 49ers.
What do you think is the better indicator of success in the long run for the season? Turnover differential (Vikes are second in the league with +8) and penalties (Vikes are fourth in the league with 47 penalties for 377 yards) or overall offense (Vikes are 10th overall–better than I expected) and defense (12th for points allowed). I really just don’t want to see the Vikes crash and burn. (these are the feelings a person has every year when they’re born into a family that is both a Chicago Cubs and MN Vikes fan)

*The Vikings are +8 in turnover differential because they’ve recovered 66% of their own fumbles, your numbers are correct for penalties.

According to PFF penalties in and of themselves have little effect on the overall game except we all saw the Buffalo game and there were missed calls by that crew all over the field; particularly the bogus OPI on Hockenson, the shady hold on Darrisaw, missed 12 on defense for Buffalo and extensive holding on Thielen. However the Vikings have no control of the referees so that’s a lost cause.

Of your two categories, I’ll go with turnover differential being the most important, especially on offense.

I looked for myself, right now the offense is 8th in scoring, 7th in passing yards, 23rd in rushing yards with the defense 14th in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed (all of this is per game). None of those are elite stats.

All that combined doesn’t add up to an 8-1 record according to the talking heads on TV and Twitter, what’s not being discussed is the Vikings are 5th in DVOA in the 4th quarter. That DVOA is probably the one stat that stands out and indicates this is a good team.

Thank you for your question, hope you stick around with us.

Skoldiers asked: Are you finally on board and believe the Vikings can compete with anyone? 

*Full disclosure: I have been excited about the Vikings winning but underwhelmed in the manner in which they do it. I did state that if the Vikings went into Buffalo and beat a legit AFC Super Bowl contender I’d get on board…so I am.

I can’t call the Bills win “a signature win” because of the fluky nature; I did text Gone Fishin and GA Skol during the game when it was 27-23 that I thought the Vikings had proved that the stage wasn’t too big for them.

I’m all in, just win baby.

Pirateflip pondered: Why do the refs all hate us? What did we ever do to them? I mean sure, years ago some fan hit one with a whiskey bottle, but they can’t hold a grudge against the team for that, can they? Can they??

*Ah the whiskey bottle to the head, a blast from the past…hope it was empty. That referee crew in Buffalo was atrocious, after looking at Twitter cutups I’ve seen at least seven PI calls or defensive holding that should have gone the Vikings way.

Hope we never see that crew again.

PA Viking Fan asked: My feelings continually get hurt when the team wins and the national “experts” continue to rate us as a mediocre team. Do you think the players take that as a motivation or do they think those polls and ratings are a joke, and the battle is won on the field, not online.

*The “national experts” are going to say whatever gets clicks or retweets, I’ve seen too many of them run their pieholes about “this is the worst 8-1 team ever.” Still 8-1 whether they like it or not.

Given we’re stuck with social media, I’m sure the players see some of what’s on Twitter and on the collective sports programs on national media. If I were them I’d laugh about it and go about my business.

Peterplaysbass pondered: Given that the Vikings are the worst 8-1 team of all time, will they suffer their inevitable playoff loss at home or on the road?

*I had to look, the next three are at home followed by a trip to Detroit. Let’s break the next four down:

Sunday-Cowboys: The Cowboys are overhyped, just like they are every.single.year. W

11/24-Patriots: The Patriots aren’t who they once were without Tom Brady, but hoodie is probably the all-time greatest coach, it’s a home game so….W

12/04-Jets: The Jets are surprisingly not awful this year, a testament to HC Saleh and his staff. I’m not convinced Zach Wilson is their QBOTF but they seem to be winning despite him.
But it’s a home game, W.

12/11-at Lions: The Lions had a win over the Vikings earlier this year until HC Dan Campbell’s poor decision making near the end of the game; this one gives me pause. Winning on the road is hard in the NFL, doing it consistently is more difficult. But the Lions have been bit by the injury bug and they still have Goff at QB.

Here’s your answer…a road loss to the Packers.

VikingPhilip asked: At the beginning of the season I said we would go 20-0. Since I am wrong already I am filled with despair. Do you have any words of wisdom to give me hope? Or would it be better for me to give into the despair and harp continually about all the bad things that I imagine are wrong with the Vikings?

*1998, 2009 and 2017 were fun years to be a fan of the Minnesota Vikings. I know none of those teams advanced to the Super Bowl but watching your favorite team win week in and week out is fun.
For me, this is entertainment for a few hours on Sunday and whatever time is spend here and on Twitter. How you fan is up to you, either get bogged down in all the past failures by the club or enjoy the ride, the choice is yours.

Rob pondered: Give us a score prediction:

Vikings 27
Cowboys 20

*and when the Vikings win I’m going to text my roommate from the 80s when we were stationed in West Germany and talk shit, because I know he will if the Cowboys win. Also, he’s a really good dude and this pending trash talk is all in good fun between us.

Thanks for everyone who took the time to ask a question, look for our next mailbag next week after the Cowboys game.

Skol!