Line play will be front-and-center on Sunday afternoon for the Denver Broncos as an offensive line that’s struggling to stay on the field, let alone perform, as a unit will be under severe scrutiny and a defense that has so far been the best in the league will face one of its biggest tests with Adrian Peterson coming to town on a big roll. This week is all about the line(s).
Minnesota is coming off back-to-back home wins against the Lions and Chargers after a Week 1 loss to San Francisco. Denver is the third of five games that will see the Vikings face only the Lions and AFC West opponents. If Minnesota can pick up a win in Denver or at home against Kansas City, they have a chance to put themselves in a great position for a Wild Card spot, with games against winless Detroit and Chicago to follow.
Denver, on the other hand, is 3-0, but carrying a big asterisk from many outside observers who are waiting for the house to come crashing down on Peyton Manning. They’re scrambling to fill holes on the offensive line and have had to rely heavily on the defense in each of their three wins.
Minnesota is feeling confident after back-to-back 100-yard rushing efforts by Peterson, and they’ll no doubt plan to test that against the Denver defense who has proved to be the best in the league overall and in passing, and a top-10 in rush defense.
In this week’s “Bold Predictions,” it’s all about the line(s).
No. 3 – Peterson Breaking The Century Mark
Minnesota is feeling confident after back-to-back 100-yard rushing efforts by Adrian Peterson, and they’ll no doubt plan to test that against the Denver defense who has proved to be the best in the league overall and in passing, and a top-10 in rush defense.
In this week’s “Bold Predictions,” it’s all about the line(s).
No. 3 – Peterson Breaking The Century Mark
Adrian Peterson is still good #analysis
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 27, 2015
The Denver Broncos defense has steadily improved its run defense with each game, allowing 69, 61 and 41 yards, respectively, in their first three games.
Adrian Peterson has run for 31, 134 and 126 yards in his first three games, steadily seeing his hards per carry climb from 3.1 to 4.6 to a monster 6.3 per carry against San Diego.
Something will have to give between the Denver defense and Peterson.
Denver has forced six interceptions and four fumbles through three games (good for second most takeaways in the league), so expect a conservative, possession-focused game plan from Minnesota. That means a heavy dose of Peterson, whom Mike Zimmer and Norv Turner will trust far more to take care of the ball than Teddy Bridgewater.
Denver’s offensive line is a mess and the Vikings have a stellar edge rush, so this will be another grind-it-out game like Baltimore. Minnesota won’t have to be pass heavy until late because Denver will struggle to find the end zone consistently.
Peterson’s yards per carry will go down, as he’ll be forced to carry the rock more often than he did against San Diego, but he’ll easily pass the century mark again. Expect at least 125 and a couple touchdowns from Peterson.
No. 2 – The Upright Citizens Brigade can’t help Peyton
Denver is 3-0, but carrying a big asterisk from many outside observers who are waiting for the house to come crashing down on Peyton Manning. They’re scrambling to fill holes on the offensive line and have had to rely heavily on the defense in each of their three wins.
It’s hardly a “bold” prediction, but Sunday against Minnesota will be no different. It’s the offense protection for Manning that calls for bold action.
No. 2 – The Upright Citizens Brigade can’t help Peyton
You could tell me that Michael Schofield is a figment of everyone's imagination and I wouldn't have evidence to argue against you. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) October 1, 2015
The Upright Citizens Brigade officially may be a Chicago-based comedy group, but it should be the name for the Broncos offensive line, which is sadly becoming a comedy of errors in the early parts of 2015. The number one person who’s not laughing is Peyton Manning.
After trading Chris Clark, Denver left itself with only Michael Schofield as a swing tackle backup for rookie Ty Sambrailo and aging veteran Ryan Harris. Sambrailo’s health is in major question as of Friday and so Tyler Polumbus was signed as an emergency stop-gap. Evan Mathis was signed just before the start of the season to give some veteran depth, but he has struggled in pass protection and has had his own health issues.
Manning has already been sacked eight times – nearly half of his total from last year. With a vicious edge rush from Minnesota and so many questions at tackle, Manning may spend more time on the turf than he’d like. The Vikings combined for 20 quarterback hits in the last two weeks, even though they aren’t racking up big sack numbers.
Expect Denver to try and run the ball to keep Manning safe, but when the offense stalls out and they revert to the pistol and pass game.
Minnesota is unapologetic about hitting the quarterback, and they’ll remain so against Denver. Expect at least 10 QB hits on Manning and a couple sacks.
No. 1 – Denver will toe the line
Denver is not only undefeated against opponents, they’re undefeated against the spread in 2015. The Broncos opened the week giving some points to the Vikings and that line has since moved up, according to vegasinsider.com and other sources.
The bettors in Vegas believe in the Broncos, but our best judgement says that the hook could be a problem.
No. 1 – Denver will toe the line
#Vikings vs. #Broncos line opened at DEN by 4.5, has moved to DEN by 6.5… #NFL
— Kelly Beaton (@KellyBeaton) October 1, 2015
With Denver needing to keep Peyton Manning upright against a dangerous edge rush, expect a heavy dose of C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman in this one.
With an offensive line that’s looking like the occupants of a M*A*S*H unit, don’t expect Anderson and Hillman to be particularly effective.
That means Denver will be depending on the booming leg of Brandon McManus and the Mile High altitude to deliver some points from midfield.
Denver (thanks to the defense, again) will find a way to win this one, but it feels like a six point win. Denver will toe that 6.5 line, but take their first loss against the spread.
Most Broncos fans will be happy to settle for the win.