Vikings-Broncos Predictions, Picks: Which Winning Streak Continues?

Not too long ago, the Vikings and Broncos were both 1-4, and this Week 11 Sunday Night Football game was an obvious candidate to be flexed out of primetime in favor of a more appealing matchup.

Since then, the two teams are a combined 8-1.

The Vikings have won five games in a row despite being without Justin Jefferson and losing multiple quarterbacks to injuries. They're one of the hottest teams in the NFL and one of its most compelling stories with Josh Dobbs at the helm.

After falling to 1-5, the Broncos have rattled off three consecutive victories of their own, including wins over the Chiefs and Bills. They've still got a lot of work to do, but Sean Payton's team is alive in the AFC playoff mix again.

One of those winning streaks will end when the teams meet in Denver on Sunday night. One of the streaks will continue. So which will it be? Let's start with my prediction and then take a look at some picks from other analysts.

Will's pick: Vikings 31, Broncos 24

2023 picks record: 7-3

I'm going to keep picking the Vikings until they give me a reason not to. They've had a magical feel about them during the first two games of the Dobbs era, and there are reasons to believe their offense can sustain this level of success with Kevin O'Connell calling plays and Dobbs making things happen both inside and outside the pocket. Justin Jefferson is unlikely to play, but T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison have been thriving and K.J. Osborn is back this week. Also, it's difficult to overstate how impressive the job Brian Flores has done with the Vikings' defense has been this season. They should be able to get to Russell Wilson a few times.

Other predictions

Ben Goessling, Star Tribune: Vikings 23, Saints 19

The Broncos' ability to force takeaways, while cutting down on their offensive mistakes, means this game will be a tougher task than it had appeared for the Vikings. They'll have to limit turnovers, while keeping their defensive structure together without Jordan Hicks against a veteran quarterback playing at home. But it's tough to pick against the Vikings, as effectively as they're playing, and if they can continue their string of solid run defense against a Broncos team that likes to control the clock, they'll push their win streak to six games.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Vikings 24, Broncos 23

The Joshua Dobbs story is incredible to this point, and the key is the veteran quarterback does not turn the ball over. Denver still has the worst statistical defense in the league, and they struggle most against the run. Will these teams keep winning with role players such as Ty Chandler and T.J. Hockenson? Why not?

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Vikings 24, Broncos 20

Josh Dobbs is stealing the show with his excellent play operating the offense with Justin Jefferson coming back to help him further. But the sneaky story for the Vikings' turnaround is the fact Brian Flores is getting the defense to play over is head in key situations. Minnesota is the better team from the NFC and will show it while Denver is hosting a game on a short week.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Vikings 20, Broncos 17

This is suddenly a game between two teams that have playoff hopes, especially the Vikings. The Broncos won at Buffalo Monday night, thanks to a big-time defensive showing. The Vikings have been winning with defense during their five-game winning streak. That means this will be a low-scoring game, but I think the Vikings will find a way to win it late.

NFL.com: 4 of 5 pickers take the Vikings

Bleacher Report Staff: Vikings 27, Broncos 23

Mike Florio, PFT: Vikings 23, Broncos 20

Chris Simms, PFT: Broncos 21, Vikings 16

Seth Walder, ESPN: Vikings 23, Broncos 20

Eric Moody, ESPN: Broncos 24, Vikings 20

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