Skol Scale Vol. 27: Preseason Positivity

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Aug 16, 2018
image courtesy of Vikings.com

Drew Mahowald’s Skol Scale is a tool to measure the correct amount of optimism Minnesota Vikings fans should feel toward their favorite team. The measurement is calculated on a 1 (WELP THIS SEASON IS OVER. TIME TO TANK.) to 10 (SUPER BOWL HOMEBOY) scale.

The preseason is an exciting time for NFL fans. No matter the circumstance, it’s easy to spin it into a positive. You see, usually, there are not 32 fan bases that should be optimistic about their team’s chances right before the regular season begins. Yet most feel like their teams could make the playoffs if certain things fall into place.

But that’s just the nature of preseason. It means establishing new expectations and getting rid of the result of the previous season.  Plus, wins and losses don’t even matter in the preseason so how can any fan really know how to analyze the status of their team without letting personal bias creep in? People forget that the 2008 Detroit Lions and the 2017 Cleveland Browns were both undefeated in the preseason.

So part of me wants to push the Minnesota Vikings’ preseason Week 1 result to the side and try to keep in mind that preseason success has zero correlation with regular season success.

The other part of me, though, is booking flights to Atlanta in February with Roc freaking Thomas leading the way.

Minnesota took the field and essentially controlled the game for its entirety. In particular, the first-team offense and defense dominated, which has to be the most exciting part for the Vikings fan base. The defense forced a couple of quick three-and-outs against former Vikings legend Case Keenum. Meanwhile, the offense marched confidently and methodically down the field that was capped by a one-yard touchdown from Kirk Cousins to Stefon Diggs. Cousins dropped dimes. Diggs made circus catches. Latavius Murray busted two 20-yard runs and the offensive line was excellent.

Vikings fans dealt with quarterback controversy (again) and the weight of an epic collapse in the conference championship game against Philadelphia all offseason. This display during the first fully uniformed action of 2018 is enough reason to get a little amped. Does it mean anything? Not really. Was it super cool to watch and did it serve as another reminder that Vikings football is back? Absolutely.

Reasons for Optimism

  • The First Team. All of it: The Vikings’ first teams were freaking dominant in their limited sample sizes against the Broncos. It’s merely three drives, I know. But you’re lying if you didn’t start thinking, “wow, if Cousins goes 4-for-4 for 42 yards and a touchdown on every drive, the Vikings might win a Super Bowl this season.”
  • Young OL step up: Danny Isidora and Brian O’Neill have exceeded expectations in training camp thus far, and that trend continued in Denver. Isidora was a key cog in multiple Latavius Murray runs that went for over 20 yards and O’Neill kept his quarterback up the entire night, whether that be Trevor Siemian or Kyle Sloter.
  • The New Kicker: This Daniel Carlson fellow was perfect in the win over Denver and made a 57-yarder that would have been good from Minneapolis. He’ll be the Vikings’ kicker Week 1. That competition is over.
  • The Screen Game: Just ask Roc Thomas about the screen game John DeFilippo has set up for the Vikings. I’m sure Roc would love to have a word.

Reasons for Pessimism

  • Injuries: Several guys didn’t suit up for the win over Denver, which is totally fine. The last thing this franchise needs is a season-ending injury to a key starter during a preseason game. But the many injuries prevented us from seeing many bubble players such as Brandon Zylstra.
  • Special Teams: The 78-yard punt return touchdown allowed by the Vikings was an all-time punt coverage collapse. It was as if guys were mentally checked before the ball was snap and they couldn’t recapture their focus until the next play and then the cycle continues. Regardless, though, Minnesota’s special teams need to improve.

Skol Scale Rating: 8.5

I’m not here to tell you how to root for your football team. But I am going to tell you how optimistic you should be when rooting for your Vikings.

An 8.5 out of 10 on the Skol Scale can account for the extremely talented roster Minnesota has that added a Pro Bowl quarterback and defensive tackle to the mix while also lowering the optimism slightly based on injuries and special teams need for improvement.

The 8.5 rating is a half point higher than last week before the Vikings had the chance to smoke an opposing team yet. If the Vikings first teamers can put together another stellar performance against a strong Jacksonville squad, maybe the Skol Scale will jump once again.

Skol Scale Ratings from the fans

 

 

 

 

 

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