Vikings vs. Broncos: Full Denver Game Preview
The Denver Broncos currently sit at 3-0, one of seven teams that remain undefeated in this young NFL season.
Following a 24-12 road victory over the Detroit Lions, the Broncos now return home to welcome another NFC North opponent—the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are off to a 2-1 start and are coming off a dominant victory over the San Diego Chargers. This has all the makings of a game in which the Broncos could overlook a solid opponent, so the team must be ready for a stiff test.
Minnesota leads the all-time series between these teams 7-6, though Denver has won the last two meetings, winning each of those games by three points.
Here, we will provide a full preview for the Week 4 contest between these two teams, including key matchups to look for as well as an injury report for Denver.
Location: Sports Authority Field, Denver
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Week 3 Results and Recap
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Though the Broncos were able to earn a 12-point victory at Ford Field in Detroit, they had a tough time shaking the Lions.
Hoping to avoid an 0-3 start to the season, the Lions played the Broncos tough and were in the game until the last half of the fourth quarter. A late interception by David Bruton of Matthew Stafford may have been the game's biggest play.
Though Denver's running game continues to struggle, the Broncos held the Lions to just 28 yards rushing in the game. That led to a quarterback duel between Peyton Manning and Stafford, one Manning got the best of.
Manning threw for 324 yards in the game and two touchdowns. One of his touchdowns came with just seconds left in the first half. He threw it up for Demaryius Thomas, who leaped over Darius Slay, reeling the ball in and then racing to the end zone for a 45-yard score.
That play completely changed the game.
The Denver defense played very well again, holding the Lions to 290 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers.
It was Denver's first win in Detroit since Christmas Day in 1999.
News and Notes
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Broncos Winning Despite Struggles Running the Ball
Playing solid defense and running the ball effectively has long been a recipe for success in the NFL. The Broncos certainly have been playing good defense, but as Mike Klis of 9News reports, they are the first team to ever start a season 3-0 without running for at least 70 yards in a game.
That is particularly surprising considering the key to success in Gary Kubiak's offense is to run the ball in his zone-blocking scheme.
The Broncos have failed miserably in that aspect, mainly due to poor play from the offensive line. Yet a strong defense and the play of Manning has carried them through three games.
Still, the running game will have to get on track at some point. It's hard to imagine the Broncos reaching the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl if it doesn't.
Ty Sambrailo Could Miss Game
If you noticed left tackle Ty Sambrailo grabbing at his arm and shoulder during the game against Detroit, it appears to be an injury that could be a nagging one.
According to Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post, Sambrailo missed practice Wednesday and is listed as day-to-day as the game approaches.
If the rookie is unable to go Sunday, the Broncos will be forced to shuffle the offensive line, looking for someone to fill in at left tackle. Ryan Harris or second-year player Michael Schofield would be the likely candidates to be placed in that role.
DeMarcus Ware Chosen as AFC Defensive Player of the Month
The first month of the NFL season is already behind us, and as Pro Football Talk reports, Denver defensive end DeMarcus Ware has been named the first defensive player of the month this season.
Denver fans weren't the only ones who noticed the efforts of Ware, who looks close to unstoppable in Wade Phillips' defense.
Ware led the NFL with 11 hits on the quarterback through the first three games and finished the month with 3.5 sacks.
Latest Injury News
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Denver has still been fairly fortunate in regard to injuries this season. The team did lose Ryan Clady and rookie tight end Jeff Heuerman right off the bat, but it's really just been some bumps and bruises ever since.
NFL.com has the latest injury news concerning the team, reporting on Wednesday's practice session.
| Peyton Manning | QB | Did not participate |
| Ty Sambrailo | OT | Did not participate |
| Louis Vasquez | OG | Did not participate |
| Juwan Thompson | RB | Full participant |
| Kayvon Webster | DB | Full participant |
| Omar Bolden | DB | Full participant |
| Kenny Anunike | DE | Full participant |
| Evan Mathis | OG | Limited participant |
It's very encouraging to see Juwan Thompson taking full participation in practice after having to leave the game against Detroit with a neck injury that looked like it could have been much worse.
Kenny Anunike seems to be getting closer to seeing the field. He has been inactive each week of the season but perhaps could make his debut against the Vikings in Week 4.
The offensive line, which has already struggled, is starting to get a little banged up. In addition to Sambrailo, Louis Vasquez and Evan Mathis don't appear to be 100 percent. This is something to keep an eye on.
As for Manning, he didn't practice Wednesday, but that is something the Broncos intend to do going forward, according to NFL Media's James Palmer.
At 39 years old, resting Manning one day per week is probably a very smart move by the coaching staff.
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Key Matchups
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Denver Run Defense vs. Adrian Peterson: It's no secret what the Vikings are going to do offensively. They are going to feed the ball to the best running back in the NFL, Adrian Peterson.
After giving him just 10 carries in the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings learned their lesson. In the last two games, Peterson has carried the ball 49 times and racked up 260 yards on the ground. Minnesota has won both of those games.
For Denver to be successful, they will have to meet Peterson at the point of attack, slowing him down and forcing the Vikings into 3rd-and-long situations. Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan and T.J. Ward will all be key in helping slow him down.
Peyton Manning vs. Minnesota Blitz: Manning has proved to be one of the best pre-snap quarterbacks who has ever played in the NFL. Diagnosing where pressure is coming from and what will be available as a result is what makes Manning as good as he is.
Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer is the type of coach who may not be intimidated by Manning's abilities at 39 years old.
Zimmer rose through the ranks of the NFL for his defensive mind, and he is the kind of coach who will recognize the Denver offensive line as a huge area of weakness and send the dogs at Manning as a result.
Look for Zimmer and his coaching staff to try to force Manning into making some errors and beat him up with pressure even if it doesn't result in sacks.
Manning will have to be careful with the ball in this game.
Denver Safeties vs. Kyle Rudolph: If Denver is successful in slowing down Peterson, the Vikings will be forced to put the ball in the air more than they'd like to. In the passing game, one of Teddy Bridgewater's favorite targets is tight end Kyle Rudolph.
Rudolph has 12 receptions on the season and has been targeted 18 times. Ward and Darian Stewart will need to be wary of Rudolph, particularly when the Vikings are faced with 3rd-and-5 or more.
Matchup X-Factor
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Broncos X-Factor of the Week: DeMarcus Ware
In the Vikings' lone loss of the season, the 49ers were able to establish a solid running game with Carlos Hyde. They also had five sacks of Bridgewater.
Though the Broncos are still working on getting the running game rolling, getting after the quarterback has not been a problem.
In Minnesota's two victories, they have allowed a total of one sack. Denver will look to change that.
The Broncos will be up against an offensive line that will have a tough time keeping Bridgewater upright. The Vikings will likely place as much attention as they can on Von Miller, allowing Ware to be up against one man fairly often.
As we've seen through three games this season, Ware is winning those battles.
Look for Ware to follow up on winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Month with a great game against the Vikings. He has at least one sack in every game, and that trend will continue. In this game, he'll get to Bridgewater three times and force a fumble, resulting in a turnover on one of them.
Prediction: Broncos 27, Vikings 13
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This game will get off to a slow start in terms of scoring, much like the game with Detroit did. After the two teams feel each other out, the Broncos will be able to find success throwing the ball down the field.
Look for Manning to take advantage of veteran cornerback Terence Newman. If he gets matched up against Emmanuel Sanders, it could lead to a big game for Sanders, who is too quick for Newman.
Defensively, the Broncos won't stop Peterson with the success they had in slowing down the Detroit running game, but Peterson will find it much tougher to run against Denver than he did against San Diego in Week 3.
The Broncos will force Minnesota to beat them through the air, and Bridgewater won't be up to the task against a fierce pass rush.
The Vikings are an improved team that should challenge for a playoff spot all season, but with the game being in Denver and the chance to start 4-0, the Broncos won't let this one slip away.
Final Prediction: Broncos 27, Vikings 13
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