Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos
O/U 37.5 · SPREAD Denver Broncos -3.5 · Empower Field at Mile High
Minnesota Vikings +3.5-110
CONF 58%
Not yet graded
The read
Final preseason night at Mile High puts the spotlight on reserves and roster decisions, with neither regular-season starting quarterback expected to play a major role. That makes Denver’s four-quarter case less convincing than its favorite price suggests.
Minnesota held its first two preseason opponents to 10 and 13 points. In the 13-3 loss to Baltimore, the Vikings still averaged 5.2 yards per play against Baltimore’s 4.3, but turnovers and failed scoring opportunities prevented that movement from reaching the scoreboard. Denver’s two results have been much wider—allowing 7 points against Atlanta and 33 against Green Bay—and its 27-7 victory was helped by a defensive touchdown.
Minnesota’s obstacle is clear: it did not score a touchdown against Baltimore and managed only 0.30 offensive points per drive. Denver can cover if its reserves reproduce the Atlanta performance. But Denver’s offense generated little after Bo Nix completed his two scoring drives against Green Bay, and Nix probably will not play here. Minnesota’s recent defense and the extra half-point provide the stronger verified four-quarter path in a potentially tight preseason finale.
Injuries noted
Minnesota Vikings: Elijah Williams (Questionable) — Ankle; Joshua Metellus (Questionable) — Shoulder; Jordan Addison (Questionable) — Addison (thumb) is expected to be close to a full participant at the Vikings' night practice Sunday, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.; Gavin Bartholomew (Questionable) — Back; Dwight McGlothern Jr. (Questionable) — Hip; Jay Ward (Questionable) — Ward was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol Sunday, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Denver Broncos: Caleb Lohner (Questionable) — Lohner (lower body) does not yet have a return timeline, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.; Nick Gargiulo (PUP-P) — Knee - ACL; Michael Deiter (IR) — The Broncos placed Deiter (quadriceps) on injured reserve Thursday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.; J.K. Dobbins (Questionable) — Dobbins isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason game in Atlanta, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.; Matt Henningsen (IR) — The Broncos placed Henningsen (Achilles) on the reserve/injured list Saturday, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.; Marvin Mims Jr. (Questionable) — Mims (undisclosed) did not play in the Broncos' 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons on Friday.; Jaylen Waddle (Questionable) — Waddle (leg) isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason contest in Atlanta, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.; Luke Wattenberg (Questionable) — Wattenberg (undisclosed) was a limited participant in Monday's practice, Jon Heath of broncoswire.com reports.; Levelle Bailey (Questionable) — Bailey broke his leg during the Broncos' 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons on Friday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
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