by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Aug 09, 2021
Game time: 4 p.m. ET; Aug. 14, 2021
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Where to watch: NFL Network
2020 season results
Broncos: 5-11 (Last place, AFC West)
Vikings: 7-9 (3rd place, NFC North)
Statistical leaders in 2020
Broncos:
Passing: Drew Lock -- 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns, 15 interceptions
Rushing: Melvin Gordon -- 986 yards, 9 touchdowns
Receiving: Jerry Jeudy -- 856 yards, 3 touchdowns
Tackles: Alexander Johnson (124)
Sacks: Malik Reed (8)
Interceptions: Justin Simmons (5)
Vikings:
Passing: Kirk Cousins -- 4,265 yards, 35 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Rushing: Dalvin Cook -- 1,557 yards, 16 touchdowns
Receiving: Justin Jefferson -- 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns
Tackles: Eric Wilson (122)
Sacks: Yannick Ngakoue (5)
Interceptions: Harrison Smith (5)
Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Broncos -1.5, Vikings +1.5
BetMGM: Broncos -1.5, Vikings +1.5
PointsBet: Broncos -2, Vikings +2
Get help with those three-game parlay bets, teaser bets, prop bets or any football wager. Will Rogers has been dominant this last month with his MLB Selections. Now we shift gears to football. Get Will’s NFL picks at our Shop Picks page, where you can find all of this week's National Football League premium pick predictions.
Broncos - Vikings Preview
How much pressure is on the Minnesota Vikings to win this year?
The chances of winning might be greater if Kirk Cousins is literally sitting in the pocket encased in plexiglass. No one wants to get injured sacking glass, so cue up the Vikings going 16-0 this year.
Whether encased or not, it’s a big year for Cousins and the Vikings. The quarterback is entering the final year of his two-year, $66 million contract as the leader of the Minnesota offense, and pending how this year goes, the Vikings will need to evaluate the QB of the future.
And what about Mike Zimmer?
Entering his eighth season with only one conference championship appearance to his credit, is Zimmer on the hot seat? Is an entirely new regime coming in Minnesota if they don’t get far this year?
The start to answering those questions is Saturday when the Vikings host the Denver Broncos in the first preseason games for both teams.
Minnesota is coming off a 7-9 campaign that would’ve been better had defense been a thought. The Vikings offense was 11th in scoring; Cousins was great, Dalvin Cook would’ve been a rushing champion in a world without Derrick Henry, and Justin Jefferson immediately filled the Stefon Diggs-sized hole at No. 1 receiver with one of the best seasons from a rookie receiver in recent memory.
The defense allowed nearly 30 points per game and only three teams were worse than that. Minnesota hopes the acquisitions of defensive back Patrick Peterson and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson will make people fear the color purple on the defensive side of the ball once again. That should give Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks reason to believe their unit will be much better this season.
All that to somehow fall below the Chicago Bears in the division standings. And they didn’t even have a quarterback.
The complete opposite can be said for the Broncos. It’s hard to be a competitive defense when your offense is on the field for an average of six seconds.
Denver is prepared to go into another season with Drew Lock and Brandon Allen battling for the starting quarterback spot. If not for a decent rushing attack led by Melvin Gordon, the Broncos’ offense would be completely inept. But now that Phillip Lindsay is in Houston, who becomes that second back in Denver? It could be Royce Freeman, but is it enough to give the Broncos defense enough rest?
The days of Von Miller being a dominant edge rusher are over, but another leap from Bradley Chubb could aid in that depleted pass rush. A lot could be asked of the corners -- Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan -- but it should be a much better unit than a year ago.
Trends
In a game that could feature little offense if the first units finish early, turnovers could be key. The Broncos are 17-5 against the spread when the defense forces two turnovers. The under is 27-12 when the Broncos score between 15-21 points. It depends on how well Denver’s defense plays this game. Given there are roster spots up for grabs, Denver’s defense should produce a solid effort.
Nothing like football in August to get your favorite teams going in the right direction? At least we think.
Prediction
Road favorite is never a likely combo to take, but in this instance, we’re curious to see how Denver’s defense shapes up. Broncos 17-14, under cashes.
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
