Minnesota Vikings: Four Ways to Maintain the Halftime Lead vs. Denver

The Minnesota Vikings are up 15-7 against the Denver Broncos.

It hasn't been a pretty game. Safety. Pick Six. Fumble by Tim Tebow that shouldn't have been ruled that way.

But the Vikings have their fifth halftime lead of the season, and only one of the previous four halftime leads have equated into a victory.

The Vikings have been the dominant team on the field in the first half, but it's not because they've played so well. Denver has struggled and so have the Vikings.

Here are four keys to Minnesota maintaining and possibly growing its 15-7 lead.

Protect Quarterback Christian Ponder

When Christian Ponder has had time, minus one pick-six, he has been successful.

He's completed 62 percent of his passes (18-of-29) for 192 yards and one touchdown. He's shown poise, confidence and looked comfortable in the pocket when he's had time.

But often he's been rushed, flustered and not given the necessary amount of time to make plays for the Vikings through the air.

Denver has forced three quarterback hits and has sacked Ponder twice. Many of those hits have been vicious. If Minnesota wants to have its franchise quarterback severely injured, then the offensive line should continue to do what it's doing.

Otherwise, things need to change. Protect your quarterback.

Continue to Pressure Quarterback Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has only completed 4-of-6 passes in the first half. Yet Minnesota has sacked him twice and produced three quarterback hits.

When Denver wanted to pass, it really hasn't been overly successful. But the Denver offense as a whole hasn't been overly successful.

Defensive end Jared Allen is having a Jared Allen-type day: one safety, one sack and one forced fumble. But it's just not him. The defense as a whole is producing good pressure on the line of scrimmage making it difficult for Denver to produce much of any offense.

Continue to Hook-Up with Devin Aromashodu

The slant to wide receiver Devin Aromashodu has been money for Minnesota's offense in the first half. He has five receptions for 74 yards in the first half.

He has shown a good connection and rapport with quarterback Christian Ponder. Today looks like one of those days where those two have an unspoken bond.

The slant with Aromashodu from Ponder has been unstoppable in the first half. It's worked, as Ponder has 192 passing yards on the day. He's on pace for a career-high in passing yards.

Protect the Football

The only reason that Denver has any points on the board is because of a Vikings turnover.

Quarterback Christian Ponder made a terrible decision and opted to throw for Devin Aromashodu who had two Denver Broncos defenders sandwiching him. Mario Haggan stepped in front of it and returned it 16 yards for the touchdown.

Other than that, the Denver offense has been stagnant—at best. The defense has played well but the offense needs to keep the ball.

Typically, whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game.