The Minnesota Vikings are set to play in their third primetime game of the season when they face the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.
The last time the Vikings faced off against the Broncos, they came down from a 20-0 deficit and beat the Broncos 27-23 with a goal-line stand. The last time the two teams played in Denver, it was the Stefon Diggs breakout party, but Peyton Manning outdueled Teddy Bridgewater for a 23-20 victory.
Both of these teams are riding winning streaks with the Vikings having won five-straight and the Broncos winning three-straight. On Sunday night, these storylines are going to be worth keeping your eye on.
Managing editor Tyler Forness: How much will Brian Flores blitz Russell Wilson?
The Vikings’ defensive approach throughout the season has been very situational. Flores has catered his game plan throughout the season to whoever the Vikings were playing. With Wilson, the approach is going to be fascinating to see. He struggles going past his first read and throws a lot of dump-off passes. What he does do well still is scramble. Will Flores want to play more drop-eight coverage or attack Wilson and force him to make quick reads? That chess match will be great to watch.
Columnist Judd Zulgad: Can the Joshua Dobbs feel-good story continue?
Dobbs is 2-0 since arriving in a deadline-day trade with the Arizona Cardinals. The quarterback impressed with no practice time when he replaced the injured Jaren Hall in the first quarter at Atlanta two weeks ago and led the Vikings to victory. While there were some rough spots in that game, Dobbs looked like he had been running the Vikings’ offense for years in the win over the Saints. His ability to use his feet and his arm should present problems for a Broncos’ defense that is ranked last in the NFL and giving up 401.8 yards per game.
Columnist Saivion Mixson: Ty Chandler gets a chance to show off his talents
Ty Chandler has been waiting in the wings to get his touches in this offense. Similar to when Mattison waited behind Dalvin Cook. So, when Minnesota had their early struggles in the run game and went outside the building to bring in Cam Akers, I was a bit confused.
Now, with an unfortunate season-ending injury to Akers and Mattison in concussion protocol, Chandler has a chance to show off his talents on a grander scale. He scored his first career touchdown against the Saints, and could have had a second one if not for a Brian O’Neill hold. Mattison’s ability to keep the run game afloat in the few games that Cook was out, got him the trust to be the bell-cow back this season. Could Chandler be next in line?
Columnist Chris Spooner: How will Minnesota stand up against the Broncos defense?
The Dobbs story has been one of the better storylines in the NFL over the past two weeks. What he has been able to do, under extraordinary circumstances, has been nothing short of incredible. But it hasn’t been without its bumps. Dobbs had a safety and a fumble in his first game with the team and threw five interceptions during his time this season with the Cardinals before the trade to Minnesota.
The Broncos are an opportunistic defense that is playing very well over the past month of the season. They were able to get two interceptions and a fumble off of Bills quarterback Josh Allen last week. They kept Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in check in both meetings this season, holding him to one touchdown and three interceptions.
Aside from the Dolphins game, Denver has been a stronger team than their record may indicate. Dobbs is going to have to continue to play a clean game against a tough opponent if Minnesota is going to continue their win streak.
