DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field At Mile High on November 19, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos beat the Minnesota Vikings 21-20 to win their 4th straight game! Below is the game recap and postgame interviews:
The Broncos won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half.
Joshua Dobbs and the Minnesota Vikings started their first drive of the night from their own 25 yard line. Dobbs struggled getting the first snap of the game but was able to get it off to Mattison for a short gain. On 3rd and 1, the Vikings tried to get Dobbs around the left side but Kareem Jackson hit him at the line and Ja"Quan McMillian came up with the first turnover of the game.
So, the Broncos offense was gifted terrific field position to start their first drive of the game at the Vikings 30 yard line. After a quick first down on quick completions to Jeudy and McLaughlin, Russ was sacked on 2nd down by Danielle Hunter effectively ending the drive. Wil Lutz converted a 31 yard field goal to get the Broncos on the board early, 3-0.
Now trailing 3-0, the Vikings offense went back to work and were able to efficiently move the ball to midfield before a holding call against TE Josh Oliver moved them back into their own territory. On 3rd and long, Josh Dobbs pass over the middle was nearly picked off by Justin Simmons but fell incomplete. The Broncos would begin their 2nd offensive drive from their own 20 yard line after a touchback.
With 6:43 remaining in the 1st quarter, the Broncos offense went back on to the field but could only manage 8 yards and quickly went 3-and-out, punting the ball back to Minnesota.
The Vikings began their 3rd offensive drive from their 35 yard line and started running the ball with determination. Ty Chandler and Alexander Mattison broke tackles and ran hard all the way down to the Broncos goal line. On 3rd down, Josh Dobbs rolled out right and Jonathon Cooper seemed like he was going to sack the Vikings QB but instead he found Josh Oliver in the front portion of the end zone to give the Vikings their first lead of the game 7-3 with 14:53 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Trailing 7-3, Russell Wilson and the offense took the field hoping to regain the lead but, for the second drive in a row, the Broncos offense went three and out, punting the ball back to the Vikings with 13:17 remaining in the half.
Minnesota started their next drive at their own 29 yard line. Josh Dobbs, once again, showing some great poise, completed big passes to Brandon Powell and TJ Hockenson to get the ball inside the Red Zone. On 3rd and goal from the 5 yard line, Jonathon Cooper finally got to Dobbs and sacked him for an 11-yard loss. Minnesota settled for a short field goal and extended their lead, 10-3.
It was time for the Broncos offense to respond and they finally got some of the deep passing game going. On the first play, Russ hit Jeudy for 19 on a comeback route and a couple plays later, Sutton came up with 33 yard diving catch to put the Broncos in Minnesota territory. The drive stalled at the Vikings 12 yard line, so they settled for a 31 yard field goal, cutting into the lead 10-6.
With 4:08 remaining in the 1st half, the Vikings were looking to add to their lead but the Broncos defense stopped them at midfield as Jonathon Cooper caused Dobbs to rush a check down pass that fell incomplete.
The Broncos offense got one last crack at scoring points before the half, starting their from their own 20 yard line with 1:11 remaining. Russell Wilson found Adam Trautman a couple of times and quickly moved the offense into Minnesota territory. Just like last week against the Bills, Wil Lutz nails a field goal at the buzzer to give the Broncos 3 extra points heading into halftime. Vikings lead cut to 10-9.
Denver's offense got the ball to start the 3rd quarter, starting from their own 25 yard line. An electric play by Marvin Mims of 28 yards was wiped out by a holding call on Nate Adkins, burying the Broncos behind the chains and, you can guess how it went, they eventually punted without getting a 1st down out of halftime...punting the ball to Minnesota who took over at their own 31 yard line.
Minnesota owned the trenches as Alexander Mattison broke off big run after big run and, along with a 17 yard completion to Jordan Addison, briskly moved the ball into Denver territory. Pat Surtain came up with an interception on 3rd down but was called back on pass interference, giving the Vikings another set of downs in the Red Zone. Facing another 3rd and long, Josh Dobbs ran it in from the 10 yard line, extending the Vikings lead 17-9.
Now trailing by 8, the Broncos offense took the field and, even though they tried to change up the pacing a bit, went 3-and-out for the 4th time and punted the ball right back to Minnesota.
From their own 20 yard line, the Vikings looked to add on to their lead. Dobbs hit Josh Oliver for a 29 yard gain just past midfield on the 2nd play and Minnesota was quickly in Denver territory. It seemed like the Vikings were destined to get more points but DJ Jones forced an Alexander Mattison fumble that Josey Jewell recovered, giving the Broncos a chance to swing momentum.
The Broncos offense went right to work with a 15 yard run off the right side for Javonte Williams and a 20 yard quick screen to Jerry Jeudy off the left to move the ball into Minnesota territory. Denver's offense moved all the way down to the 12 yard line and thought they got a first down but Garett Bolles was called for an illegal formation and the drive stalled. Wil Lutz converted a chip shot and the Broncos pulled within 5, 17-12.
Minnesota took the field on the next drive but the Broncos defense once again came up with a huge play as Ja'Quan McMillian intercepted Joshua Dobbs and returned the ball to the Vikings 9 yard line. It seemed like the Broncos were finally going to get a touchdown but Marvin Mims got called for a facemask penalty that backed the offense out of the Red Zone. The drive, wait for it, stalled again and the Broncos settled for a fifth field goal from Wil Lutz pulling within 2, 17-15.
The defense did their job to force what appeared to be a 3-and-out but Minnesota ran a fake punt and Ty Chandler ran it down the right sideline for 31 yards. On 3rd and 20, Dobbs found Ty Chandler for a checkdown and he took it almost 19 yards setting up a 4th and short that Dobbs converted on a sneak. A few plays later, the Vikings drive stalled but they were able to convert a critical field goal, extending the lead 20-15.
With 3:17 remaining in the game, Russell Wilson the offense needed a touchdown drive and that's exactly what they got. Samaje Perine came up huge with several check down catches and finally, from the 15 yard line, the Vikings brought a 6 man pressure and Russell Wilson threw it up to Courtland Sutton in the back of the end zone and put the Broncos ahead 21-20, as they failed to convert their 2-point play.
The Vikings, with 1:03 remaining in the game, got the ball at their 25 yard line and only moved backwards. The defense forced an incompletion on 4th and 25 and the Broncos beat the Vikings 21-20!
The next broadcast will be on Sunday, November 26th as the Broncos host the Cleveland Browns. Coverage begins at 8am MTN.
Postgame interviews with Sean Payton, Russell Wilson, Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine below