Broncos Hammer Vikings in Preseason Finale 34-6

Jarrett Stidham and the Broncos offense started at their own 35 yard line after a touchback. Adam Prentice helped pick up the initial first down of the drive after a couple of quick plays by Tyler Badie for 9 yards. On a play fake, Stidham hit Nate Adkins on a short pass and he took it up field and into Minnesota territory for a gain of 26 yards. Drive would eventually stall, leading to a 43 yard field goal by Wil Lutz to give the Broncos an early 3-0 lead with 11:33 remaining in the 1st quarter. Marvin Mims went to the locker room with a foot injury.

Carson Wentz and the Vikings offense began their first drive of the night at their own 30 yard line. After a couple of short runs, Wentz pass on 3rd down fell incomplete and Minnesota punted it back to Denver and the offense would go back to work at their own 12 yard line with 9:53 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Tyler Badie got the drive going with a 10 yard run and then Cody Schrader picked up a couple of big chunk plays, one for 18 and another for 13, to get the Broncos into Vikings territory. Nate Adkins got another catch down inside the 2 yard line and then it was Adam Prentice punching it in from 1 yard out for his second TD of the preseason. Broncos in front 10-0 with 3:28 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Wentz and the Minnesota offense started their 2nd drive of the night from their own 27 yard line. After an initial 1st down, Vikings faced a 3rd and 8 and Wentz's pass for 5 yards to the 50 yard line came up short. Minnesota opted to punt as we opened the 2nd quarter and after a 10 yard return by Sean Fresch and a late hit, Broncos would start their drive at their own 30 yard line.

Sam Ehlinger now in the game and on his first pass he threw an interception to Khalef Hailasse, setting up the Vikings at the Denver 46 yard line with 13:33 remaining in the 2nd quarter. Facing a 3rd and 11, Dillon Bell caught a screen on the left side but ran back around the right side for 8. Vikings settled for a 46 yard field goal, cutting in the Broncos lead 10-3 with 9:51 remaining in the 1st half.

Kolbe Katsis with a monster 48 yard return set the Broncos up at the Minnesota 46 yard line! Denver worked their way down to the 12 yard line before Ross was tackled for a 5 yard loss, backing them up to the 17 yard line. Dane Key was called for holding and now Denver faced a 2nd and 20 as we ticked close to 6 minutes remaining in the 1st half. Ehlinger had to throw it away on 3rd down and 16, so Wil Lutz came on to convert a 37 yard field goal. Broncos extend their lead 13-3 with 5:30 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Max Brosmer and the Vikings started their drive at their own 35 yard line. Brosmer hit Bartholomew for a 13 yard gain on the right side to get Minnesota into Denver territory and then an 11 yard gain to Fleming down to the 26 yard line. Brosmer QB sneak on 3rd and 1 got the Vikings inside the Red Zone as we hit the 2 minute warning. Vikings worked it down to the 5 yard line with a 1st and goal. A delay of game backed it out to the 10 and eventually Brosmer would have to throw it away on 3rd down, settling for a Field Goal. Vikings pull within 7, trailing 13-6 with 1:30 remaining in the 1st half.

Ehlinger got the drive started with a quick first down throw to Bandy. As they got near midfield, Sam threw a beautiful pass down the right sideline to Dane Key for 25 yards. From the Vikings 20, Ehlinger found McLaughlin over the middle and he put on the jets for a 20 yard receiving TD! Broncos extend their lead 20-6 at halftime.

Vikings started their first drive out of halftime at their own 28 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 13, Brosmer's pass fell incomplete. Minnesota punted it back to Denver who started their drive at their own 30 yard line. Jaleel had a nice 9 yard run but an illegal formation penalty wiped out an easy 1st down run by Prentice. Denver punted it to the Vikings, who started from their own 17 with 10:38 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Facing a 3rd and 4, Brosmer hit Fleming for a huge 26 yard hookup down the right sideline. Vikings now at midfield but the drive stalled after an offensive PI backed them up. After the punt, Broncos started at their own 15 with 8:02 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Cody Schrader went to work on the ground as well as taking a short pass for 22 yards into Vikings territory. Facing a 3rd and 13, Vikings were called for an illegal use of hands to the face to gift the Broncos a 1st down. On the SEVENTEENTH play of the drive, facing a 4th and 2, Sam Ehlinger rolled to the right and somehow found a wide open Cody Schrader in the end zone for a 14 yard touchdown! Broncos extend their lead 27-6 with 13:04 remaining in the game. That drive took nearly TEN minutes off of the clock.

Vikings get a 28 yard run from Jemar Jefferson into Denver territory. Vikings get within a 1st and goal opportunity from inside the 10 yard line. Facing a 3rd and goal from the 6, Brosmer's pass fell incomplete after the defense brought pressure. Vikings of course went for it but rookie S Miles Scott comes up with a huge hit on Jemar Jefferson in the flat for a 1 yard loss and the Broncos take over at their own 7 yard line.

Facing a 3rd and 5, Ehlinger bought some time in the end zone and found a WIDE OPEN Justin Joly deep over the middle for an 88 yard touchdown! Broncos extend the lead 34-6!

Vikings went 3 and out, punting it back to Denver with 7:12 remaining in the game. Broncos went 3 and out and punted it quickly back to Minnesota.

Red Murdock forced a fumble as the Vikings were driving and Parker Robertson recovered it! Broncos beat the Vikings 34-6!

The next broadcast will be on September 14th on Monday Night Football as the Broncos open the season on the road vs the Kansas City Chiefs. Coverage on KOA begins at 12pm MTN.

Below are the postgame interviews with Jarrett Stidham, Cody Schrader, Zach Allen, Lil'Jordan Humphrey