Drew Lock is set to start for the Broncos against Minnesota on Saturday as he gets the first crack at Denver's open starting QB role, with Teddy Bridgewater right on his heels.
The Denver Broncos are already in Minnesota ahead of their opening pre-season game against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday. The teams are holding joint practices this week leading up to the game.
Denver is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NFL pre-season odds, with the total at 34.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams’ last pre-season meeting was in 2018 in Denver, with the Vikings winning 42-28. They didn’t meet in the regular season last year, but they did face off in Week 11 during the 2019 season. The Vikings came away with a 27-23 home win. Kirk Cousins was the winning quarterback, finishing the day with 340 passing yards and three TDs. For Denver, current Bengals backup QB Brandon Allen threw for 240 yards with one TD and one INT.
Sports Interaction’s NFL futures odds has set the Broncos regular season wins total at 8.5 with the Over favoured at -133. They’re +140 to make the playoffs and -200 to miss out. The Vikings also come in with an 8.5 regular season wins total and the Over is a -189 favourite. They’re right on the bubble at -111 to make the playoffs and -125 to not make it.
Denver Broncos
There’s still a tight QB race going on in Denver right now. Head coach Vic Fangio said Drew Lock will start against the Vikings, while Teddy Bridgewater gets the nod against Seattle next week. Fangio has described the QB race as very even, but Lock seems to have a slight edge. Last year, Lock tied for the league lead in interceptions and was last among starters in completion percentage. Bridgewater started 15 games for Carolina last season. He threw for 3,733 yards with 15 TDs, 11 INTs and a 92.1 quarterback rating.
Minnesota Vikings
It would be surprising to see QB Kirk Cousins play at all on Saturday. Even forgetting the current controversy about his COVID vaccine remarks, there’s no point risking a veteran quarterback who already knows the offence as well as anyone. You’ll likely see Jake Browning and Nate Stanley split the game. Rookie Kellen Mond is reportedly unlikely to play after recently returning from a 10-day COVID quarantine. First-round pick Christian Darrisaw will also likely be out of the lineup. The offensive tackle has made slow progress in training camp and hasn’t been able to get past individual drills yet.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Broncos vs. Vikings?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 12 Aug 2:11pm | DEN | -2.5 -110 | O +34.5 -110 |
| Closing 14 Aug 7:56pm | DEN | -2.5 -110 | O +34 -110 |
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
918 |
| Passing |
3052 |
| Receiving |
68 |
| Sacks |
6 |
| Interceptions |
5 |
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
1159 |
| Passing |
4221 |
| Receiving |
108 |
| Sacks |
8 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Vikings Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
918 |
| Passing |
3052 |
| Receiving |
68 |
| Sacks |
6 |
| Interceptions |
5 |
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
1159 |
| Passing |
4221 |
| Receiving |
108 |
| Sacks |
8 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
Weather
| condition | dome |
Injuries
Bobby Massie (T)
Nate Hairston (CB)
Noah Fant (TE)
Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Shelby Harris (DE)
Kareem Jackson (S)
Shamar Stephen (DL)
Pat Surtain II (CB)
Javonte Williams (RB)
Drew Lock (QB)
Harrison Hand (CB)
Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Kris Boyd (CB)
Nick Vigil (LB)
Wyatt Davis (G)
Kene Nwangwu (RB)
Luke Stocker (TE)
Tashawn Bower (DE)
Ezra Cleveland (G)
Eric Kendricks (LB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Massie (T) | Out Sat | Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion. |
|||||
| Nate Hairston (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
|||||
| Noah Fant (TE) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Melvin Gordon III (RB) | Prob Sat | Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday. |
|||||
| Shelby Harris (DE) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Kareem Jackson (S) | I-R | Back - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury. |
|||||
| Shamar Stephen (DL) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Pat Surtain II (CB) | Out indefinitely | Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear. |
|||||
| Javonte Williams (RB) | Prob Sat | Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Drew Lock (QB) | Prob Sat | Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Hand (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Hand has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Mackensie Alexander (CB) | Out Sun | Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Alexander is managing an ankle ailment, and he will not take on the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kris Boyd (CB) | Out Sun | Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Boyd has a rib injury, leaving his status for Sunday's showdown against the Bears as inactive. |
|||||
| Nick Vigil (LB) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Vigil is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
| Wyatt Davis (G) | Out Sun | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Davis is ailing from an illness, and he will not line up against the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kene Nwangwu (RB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Nwangwu has a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
| Luke Stocker (TE) | Ques Sun | Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Stocker is nursing an elbow issue, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's contest versus the Bears. |
|||||
| Tashawn Bower (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Bower has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return. |
|||||
| Ezra Cleveland (G) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Cleveland has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return. |
|||||
| Eric Kendricks (LB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Kendricks has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action. |
|||||
-
DENVER BRONCOS
19 -
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
23
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 12 Aug 2:11pm DEN -2.5 -110 O +34.5 -110 Closing 14 Aug 7:56pm DEN -2.5 -110 O +34 -110 -
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1159
Passing 4221
Receiving 108
Sacks 8
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1159
Passing 4221
Receiving 108
Sacks 8
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
condition dome -
Injuries
Bobby Massie (T)
Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22Nate Hairston (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Noah Fant (TE)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22Shelby Harris (DE)
Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22Kareem Jackson (S)
I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22Shamar Stephen (DL)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Pat Surtain II (CB)
Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22Javonte Williams (RB)
Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22Drew Lock (QB)
Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22Harrison Hand (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22Kris Boyd (CB)
Out Sun Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22Nick Vigil (LB)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22Wyatt Davis (G)
Out Sun Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Kene Nwangwu (RB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22Luke Stocker (TE)
Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22Tashawn Bower (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Ezra Cleveland (G)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Eric Kendricks (LB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Bobby Massie (T) Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion.
Nate Hairston (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Noah Fant (TE) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs.
Melvin Gordon III (RB) Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday.
Shelby Harris (DE) Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs.
Kareem Jackson (S) I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury.
Shamar Stephen (DL) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs.
Pat Surtain II (CB) Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear.
Javonte Williams (RB) Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs.
Drew Lock (QB) Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Harrison Hand (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hand has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Mackensie Alexander (CB) Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Alexander is managing an ankle ailment, and he will not take on the Bears on Sunday.
Kris Boyd (CB) Out Sun Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Boyd has a rib injury, leaving his status for Sunday's showdown against the Bears as inactive.
Nick Vigil (LB) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Vigil is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bears on Sunday.
Wyatt Davis (G) Out Sun Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Davis is ailing from an illness, and he will not line up against the Bears on Sunday.
Kene Nwangwu (RB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Nwangwu has a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Bears on Sunday.
Luke Stocker (TE) Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Stocker is nursing an elbow issue, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's contest versus the Bears.
Tashawn Bower (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Bower has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return.
Ezra Cleveland (G) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-2 2-0 + - Cleveland has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return.
Eric Kendricks (LB) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-2 2-0 + - Kendricks has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action.