After back-to-back road games, the Broncos finally return home to Sports Authority Field at Mile High. They’ll have quite a challenge ahead of them against Adrian Peterson and his Minnesota Vikings. Can All Day put on a vintage performance against one of the AFC’s best teams? Or will the Broncos’ Peyton Manning continue to turn back the clock? Read on as we get into one of Sunday’s red-hot matchups.
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[sc:Football ]Minnesota Vikings vs. Denver Broncos Preview
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
When: Sunday, October 4, 4:25 PM ET
Line: Minnesota Vikings (+7) at Denver Broncos (-7) ; total: 43.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson put up a vintage performance against the San Diego Chargers in Week 3. He trampled San Diego’s defense for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 20 rushes in a 31-14 blowout Sunday afternoon. His second touchdown was a vintage run around right end, dashing 43 yards for the score.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Peterson should have all day to get past Denver’s rushing defense, which has been the team’s hole this early into the season. The Broncos are allowing 110 yards rushing per game this season, 19th in the league. The last time Denver faced an elite runner (Jamaal Charles in Week 2), the defense allowed 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
A solid effort from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could give the Vikings an edge. But he’s been quiet thus far this year. Bridgewater has passed for 505 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions in the first three games this season. It won’t get any easier for him against a solid Broncos defense that has six interceptions this season, second-most in the NFL.
The Vikings could come away with the upset on the road if they can put on a consistent pass rush like last week’s outing against the Chargers. Minnesota had four sacks led by defensive end Everson Griffen’s 1.5. Defensive tackles Tom Johnson (one) and Sharrif Floyd (0.5) also had a sack or a portion of, while linebacker Anthony Barr also had one.
Minnesota’s pass rush has a favorable matchup against an aging Peyton Manning, who’s been sacked eight times this season. But they’ll have to work hard for it, especially after the Broncos improved on their pass protection, allowing just one sack in Week 3.
The Vikings have lost two of their last eight on the road, going 5-5 ATS.
Betting on the Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning had another big game in Week 3, throwing for 324 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. None bigger than his fourth down conversion, a 45-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas with five seconds left in the first half. That touchdown put the Broncos up for good as they start the season undefeated through the first three games. The last time the Broncos started 3-0, they made the Super Bowl in 2013.
The future Hall of Famer is slowly settling into a new offense brought about by head coach Gary Kubiak. Playing at times with the a pistol formation, Manning took just one sack against Detroit with such plays after being sacked seven times in the first two games of the season. The Broncos quarterback had a pair of trusty receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders too, who combined for 179 yards on 15 catches in Week 3.
But what continues to be Denver’s strength this season is its defense. The Broncos defense was deadly in Week 3, forcing three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble recovery). The pass rush was also at its best, sacking Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford four times. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware led this unit after finishing with 1.5 sacks in Week 3. Ware has a team-high 3.5 sacks this season.
A solid pass rush and an unforgiving secondary have the Broncos leading the NFL in passing defense (176.3 yards allowed per game). They’ve allowed just one touchdown pass while putting up six interceptions this season. Forcing the Vikings into a one-dimensional running game should help Denver put their best efforts to slowing down Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson.
The Broncos have won nine of their last 10 at home, but are just 5-5 ATS.
Writer’s Prediction
The Broncos roll to another big win as they show themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Create a betting account now and cash in on some of the biggest games this football season.
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