Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings NFL game story

DENVER — Primetime start. The stadium was rocking and dark. There were two teams who came into their matchup with impressive winning streaks.

Empower Field at Mile High was the Sunday night event in downtown Denver.

At halftime, the Broncos trail the Minnesota Vikings, 10-9. Wil Lutz kicked three field goals for the Broncos, including a 52-yarder as time expired.

The Vikings are running the ball, as they have 80 yards rushing on 19 carries. The Broncos are almost exclusively going through the air as they have just five carries for 16 yards — all by running back Javonte Williams at the half.

Russell Wilson is 13 of 17 for 132 yards but the Broncos are still looking for their first touchdown.

During the pregame buildup, the Broncos pulled out all the stops. They turned the lights out in the stadium. The fans were given electronic, colored wristbands while the paratroopers flew in with glow-in-the-dark orange parachutes.

The lights came back on for a minute or two, then went out again for the introductions of the Broncos’ starting lineups with each offensive player running out accompanied by a military personnel carrying the American flag. The energy was palpable.

Then the game began and the Broncos’ offense and Denver run defense was less inspiring.

Denver’s takeaway streak – 9 in its previous two games, both wins, against Kansas City and Buffalo — continued on the first series as on a third-and-1, the Vikings had tight end Josh Oliver take the snap and pitch to quarterback Josh Dobbs, who dropped to the tailback position. Broncos’ safety Kareem Jackson, out of the penalty box after serving a two-game suspension for huge hits near the head area, came up to deliver another blast on Dobbs while outside linebacker Baron Browning stripped the ball loose.

Nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian recovered and the Broncos were in business starting at the Minnesota 30. But after a dump pass to running back Javonte Williams picked up a first down at the Vikings’ 15, Broncos’ quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked by defensive end Danielle Hunter and the Broncos had to settle for a short Wil Lutz field goal and a quick 3-0 lead.

At that point, the Vikings started attacking the Denver run defense. There was a stretch when coordinator Vance Joseph’s defense improved against the run but it started to leak last Monday night at Buffalo. The Vikings running back duo of Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler – coached by former Broncos’ running backs coach Curtis Modkins and following the offensive line coached by former Bronco player and coach Chris Kuper – ran through gaping holes and missed tackles against the Denver D in a drive that ended the first quarter with Minnesota having third and 1 and the Denver 3.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell then called on Dobbs, who scrambled right, shrugged off a sack attempt by Jonathon Cooper, and threw to tight end Josh Oliver, who had maneuvered free in the front area of the end zone for a touchdown.

It was 7-3 Vikings one play into the second quarter.

The next time Minnesota got the ball Dobbs hit his other tight end, T.J. Hockenson, for a 29-yard gain to set up a short Greg Joseph field goal. Hockenson was wide open on the play but Dobbs was under pressure and did good to fling it out there. It was 10-3 Vikings with 8:09 left in the first half.

The Broncos’ offense, which had been outgained 167 yards to 32 at that point, put together a drive through the air. The big plays were Wilson connecting with Jerry Jeudy for 19 yards down the right side and then lofting a 33-yard completion down the left sideline to Courtland Sutton. But again, on fourth and 2 from the Vikings’ 12 yard line, Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton made the old-school decision to take another 31 yard field goal by Lutz.

It was 10-6 Vikings with 4:08 left in the first half.

Wilson finished the half with consecutive completions for 19 and 14 yards to tight end Adam Trautman and Lutz came through with his long field goal to send both teams into the halftime locker rooms.

The lights went out again for the halftime entertainment.

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