The Skoloholics Mailbag – The ELEVEN AND three 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.

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

Skoldiers pondered: Now that we’re at least the 3rd seed in playoffs, do you have a preference for a team to play round 1?

I’m going to view this from the idea that the Vikings don’t fall to the 3rd seed or climb to the 1st seed…let’s look at the potential opponents in no particular order:

Commanders-Led by former Vikings camp arm and was likely going to make the roster but kicked a window instead QB Taylor Heineke, the Commanders have the 25th ranked offense but the 9th ranked defense. That interior defensive line gave the Vikings all they could handle in a 20-17 Vikings win this season. I’d prefer to avoid any team with a stout defensive line in the 1st round, although the Vikings offensive line has improved this season to the almost stratospheric heights of….average.

Lions-Led by former Rams QB Jerod Goff the Lions have been somewhat of a surprise on offense this year with the 5th ranked scoring offense, however the Detroit defense is current ranked 31st overall in points allowed per game. Although the Lions can score points, they concede a lot of points particularly touchdowns in the redzone….now we’re getting somewhere.

Giants-We get to see the Giants up close and personal this weekend, Giants QB Daniel Jones game has improved with an offense currently ranked 20th in points per game under rookie HC Brian Baboll with a defense ranked 14th in points per game.…I think I like this.

My preference in this order:
Giants
Detroit
Commanders

Full disclosure: I “know” exactly two Giants fans; Chim Ritchels, who used to pop into the Daily Norseman and has an account here, and Dave Rappaccicio who does The DrawPlay comic that I enjoy so much. I’d like to see the Giants get a playoff berth and win just for those guys, but not at the Vikings expense.
In the end it doesn’t matter who is on the opposing sideline from the Vikings, just effing win baby.

Gone Fishin pondered: Was the defense’s surprising performance due more to adjustments made by the coaching staff, or by playing against the Colts? This same defense allowed guys like Mac Jones to look like Joe Montana, so seeing them hold the Colts to under 200 yards passing surprised me.

Everything that we as fans had seen this year regarding the defense with the two high safeties and soft zone finally gave way to a more aggressive defense against the Colts…FINALLY. The Vikings blitzed on 40.5% of Matt Ryan’s pass attempts. The second half saw a blitz rate of 57.1%, including four in overtime. The defense played man coverage at a much higher rate than at any other point this season with Duke Shelley and Patrick Peterson playing man on about 38% of their pass coverage snaps. In overtime, everytime the Vikings blitzed they played man coverage. For the moment Shelly and Peterson appear capable of playing man coverage to support a more aggressive defense, I don’t know if that will hold up against a more mobile QB, but Donatell needs to correctly pick and choose the timing.
Also, notice the Hitman was at the line of scrimmage disrupting plays, that helped a lot in the run game.

Pirateflip pondered: Give us a score prediction.

Vikings 27
Giants 20
Lean on the running game with Cook and Mattison this week.

Rob pondered: Who should get Coach of the Year consideration?

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell should be in the conversation, he’s taken essentially the same roster as last year and won the NFC North with playoff games upcoming.

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

Skol!