Vikings-Broncos Predictions Roundup: Media Expects Vikings to Win at Home
Coming off of a huge, emotional win over the Cowboys, this week is a classic letdown scenario for the Vikings.
It's at home, against a clearly inferior opponent, with a bye week and several massive games coming up down the stretch. For the Vikings, this one is all about finding a way to avoid the letdown and pull out a win, even if it's ugly.
The national media expects Mike Zimmer and company to get it done against the Broncos.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Vikings 24, Broncos 16
"In a dark Broncos season, there have been notable rays of sunshine. Courtland Sutton made the leap into a true No. 1 receiver, the type of player who can make an untested first-time starter like quarterback Brandon Allen look a lot better. Phillip Lindsay has backed up his Pro Bowl rookie campaign despite getting fewer touches. Safety Justin Simmons should be a Pro Bowler, typical of a Vic Fangio defense that found its footing after a slow start. The Broncos are your stereotypical stretch-run tough out, a spoiler that will require opponents to not beat themselves. Congratulations for making it to the end of my long way of saying this game could get more complicated than expected for the Vikings."
Courtney Cronin, ESPN Vikings Reporter: Vikings 24, Broncos 17
"What to watch for: Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has notched 100 yards of offense in eight of his 10 games this season. The role he has taken on in the passing game has allowed Minnesota to dismantle teams with its explosive screen and play-action attack. Even if the Broncos sell out to stop Cook on the ground, they'll have to account for him, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. through the air."
Jeff Legwold, ESPN Broncos Reporter: Vikings 23, Broncos 16
"Bold prediction: The Broncos will get a rushing touchdown. While Courtland Sutton figures to have a big day for the Broncos, the Vikings have surrendered just two rushing touchdowns all season, and both have come in two of their losses – to the Packers and to the Chiefs."
Mark Craig, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Vikings 35, Broncos 14
"Not going to overthink this one or compare it to the Great Buffalo Blunder of ’18. Broncos quarterback Brandon Allen’s second NFL start and road debut will be at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Vikings’ defense. ‘Nuff said."
Todd Haislop, Sporting News: Vikings 26, Broncos 16
"Minnesota's win in Dallas last week was huge, and it signaled to the rest of the NFC that the Vikings are clicking and likely a fixture in the playoff picture moving forward. The Broncos and Brandon Allen found enough offense in their latest win to compliment their still-stingy scoring defense. The Vikings' scoring defense, though, is better, and if Adam Thielen plays Sunday to help lift Minnesota's offense, the home team should have no trouble rolling into its bye week with a win."
Bleacher Report: Vikings 28, Broncos 13
"Brandon Allen played well in his first start, and he and the Broncos had two weeks to prepare for Minnesota. The Vikings defense is far better than the Browns' version, though. Minnesota ranks top-five in scoring defense and plays a far more disciplined brand of football. Don't expect the Vikings' defensive ends to allow Allen to work the edges of the pocket and make easy reads and throws. They'll attack the young quarterback in only his second start."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Vikings 27, Broncos 13
"The Vikings are back home after an impressive road victory against the Cowboys. They will face Brandon Allen at quarterback for the Broncos in this one. That will be a challenge for Denver, one they won't be able to overcome. The Vikings will win it."
Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk: Vikings 30, Broncos 17
"The Vikings can enter their 2019 bye with as many wins as they had in all of 2018."
Sam Farmer, LA Times: Vikings 27, Broncos 17
"Brandon Allen has his moments, but he’s on the road against a defense that gets after the quarterback. Kirk Cousins is starting to look the way Vikings had hoped. Minnesota keeps it going."
Viking Maven's Pick: Vikings 24, Broncos 20
This game worries me for a couple reasons. The main one is that the Broncos' defense is legitimately outstanding, and is capable of making multiple game-changing plays. The other one, which goes hand in hand with the first, is that Kirk Cousins' incredible ability to take care of the football recently seems due to end at some point. But ultimately, I don't think Brandon Allen will be able to outscore Cousins, even if the Vikings' QB struggles at points.
