Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

Tim Tebow mania has swept the nation and now, regardless of who the Broncos play, their games are must-see TV.

The Broncos are a completely different team with Tebow at the helm and have won five of their last six games.

They take on the Minnesota Vikings at the always-tough Metrodome, but with Adrian Peterson ruled out, can the 2-9 Vikings even hope to take down the surging Broncos?

Let's take a closer look to seewho has edge.

Where: Mall of America Field (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

When: Sunday, December 4 at 1 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX

Betting Line: Vikings -1.5, according to SportsBook

Take the points. How long are the Broncos going to be written off? With Peterson out, the Vikings should be the underdogs hands down. Minnesota's home field advantage is no joke, but they are 1-4 this year on their own turf.

Betting Over/Under: 37.5

The under would be tempting in this game if it was 20. 37.5 is a low over/under, but it's warranted here. The Broncos have the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL, but with 17 or less points in their last three victories, they've proved they don't have to score a lot to win.

The Vikings haven't scored more than 21 points since they've gotten back from the bye week and no AP is going to throw a serious wrench into their offense. Expect a defensive struggle here, with an emphasis on the struggle.

Who Might Not Play For Denver

View complete updated injury report at NFL.com.

Von Miller	LB	Thumb	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Eddie Royal	WR	Toe	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
David Bruton	S	Achilles	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Ryan Clady	T	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Daniel Fells	TE	Hand	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Willis McGahee	RB	Illness	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable

Who Might Not Play for Minnesota

Jared Allen	DE	Not Injury Related	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Adrian Peterson	RB	Ankle	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Chris Cook	CB	Not Injury Related	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
E.J. Henderson	LB	Shoulder	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Asher Allen	CB	Shoulder	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Kyle Rudolph	TE	Quadricep	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Erin Henderson	LB	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Jamarca Sanford	S	Shoulder	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Visanthe Shiancoe	TE	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Anthony Herrera	G	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable

Fantasy Big Plays

Tim Tebow, QB, Denver

Tim Tebow isn't going to generate dominant passing numbers, but that doesn't mean he's not a viable starter. Jared Allen is going to be forced to stay home, and his effectiveness takes a huge hit playing a running QB. He has eight touchdowns in his last seven games and his ability to get in the end zone on the ground makes him a legitimate starter.

Willis McGahee, RB, Denver

Don't be turned off of Willis McGahee just because the Vikings allow less than 100 rushing YPG. He torched the Chargers for 117 last week and his influx in attempts suggests the Broncos are going to feed him the ball more this week.

Toby Gerhart, RB, Minnesota

Toby Gerhart is a great No. 2 option for the Vikings. He doesn't get a lot of carries, because he happens to be behind the best running back in football, but don't be afraid to take a gamble here. He found the end zone last week and the Vikings aren't going to shy away from running the ball against a Denver defense that allows 120.5 rushing YPG.

Key to Denver Win

Let Tebow be Tebow. John Fox has done a great job of putting his quarterback in a position to succeed by letting him do what he's comfortable doing. Tebow has proved that the Broncos don't have to throw the ball to win.

Continue playing lights-out defense. This is going to be tough if Von Miller can't go, but shutdown defense is part of their new winning formula. Tebow wouldn't have a chance to lead the team down the field to score if the defense doesn't do their part. Their job is made easy with AP on the sidelines.

Key to Minnesota Win

Use Christian Ponder. Pounding the rock is all well and good, but the Vikings' strong point is suddenly their passing game with AP out. Gerhart is a decent backup, but if they weren't winning with AP, they won't win with Gerhart.

Make Tim Tebow beat them through the air. Keep Tebow in the pocket and make him throw the ball. The spread option isn't impossible to shut down. Teams do it every day in college football, and though Tebow is great at it, staying disciplined would take away Denver's most dangerous weapon.

Prediction:

Broncos 17, Vikings 13