The Denver Broncos improved to 5-5 on the season and won their fourth straight game after Russell Wilson and Courtland Sutton orchestrated a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings.
Russell Wilson fuels Denver Broncos comeback win in 4th quarter
The Denver Broncos offense struggled to find their footing in the first half of Sunday’s primetime showdown against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings defense threw a lot of different pressure looks at Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offense, but they also were stout against the run.
In the first half, the Broncos offense ran a total of 23 offensive plays for 141 yards. Wilson accounted for 132 yards passing in the first half alone, while the Broncos offense struggled to run the football effectively, only generating 16 total yards on the ground.
The Broncos’ defense struggled to stop the run in the first half, surrendering over 85 yards on the ground in the first half to a Vikings offense that only averaged 85 yards per game on the ground coming into the matchup.
That was an area the Vikings’ defense had excelled at all season long. Trailing 10-9 going into halftime, the Broncos offense would start with the football.
Penalties continued to impact any promising play development, with a Marvin Mims reception being called back due to holding. After that, the Broncos’ offense sputtered out on the drive and punted it away.
Denver’s defensive struggles continued as Vikings running back Alexander Mattison rattled off several big gains. A pass interference penalty on 3rd and 13 was called on Patrick Surtain, extending Minnesota’s drive, ultimately leading to Josh Dobbs calling his own number and punching it in for a touchdown to put the Vikings up 17-9 with 7:55 in the third quarter.
The Vikings got the ball back once again after a Broncos three and out in the third quarter, marching their way downfield when Mattison coughed up the football, leading to Denver recovering it near midfield.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Broncos’ offense found themselves on the Vikings’ 21-yard line. Wilson converted a quarterback sneak on 3rd and 1, but another penalty on the offense set them backward another five yards. On the very next play, the Vikings sacked Wilson.
Broncos overcome bumps in 4th quarter comeback
Wil Lutz converted his fourth field goal of the game to cut the Broncos deficit to 17-12 with 12:40 left.
On Denver’s next defensive series, Ja’Quan McMillian jumped an out-route throw by Josh Dobbs and intercepted it, giving the Broncos possession on the nine-yard line.
Another penalty impacted Denver’s operation once again. Rookie receiver Marvin Mims was called for a facemask that backed them up from the nine-yard line to the 23-yard line. Wilson fired a shot against a 0-blitz to Jerry Jeudy who nearly hauled it in for a touchdown, but a Vikings defender cradled his wrist to force an incompletion.
That led to Lutz’s fifth field goal of the evening, trimming Denver’s deficit to 17-15.
After forcing another third down stop, the Vikings caught the Broncos special teams off guard with a fake on 4th down, with Ty Chandler taking it 31 yards downfield.
Chandler would come up big for the Vikings once again, this time on a 3rd and 20, where he squirreled his way close to a first down. Officials gave the Vikings a first down, but a Sean Payton challenge was successful, with Chandler’s knee touching down one yard shy.
Minnesota went for it on fourth down, converting and extending the drive. Denver’s defense held firm on 3rd and 10, forcing the Vikings to kick a field goal that extended their lead to 20-15 with 3:17 remaining.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense would get one final drive to attempt to win the game. Wilson did just that, helping Denver march downfield on a 10-play 75-yard drive that saw him find Courtland Sutton for a tightly contested touchdown catch, giving them a 21-20 lead.
Denver’s defense would have a chance to solidify a win with 1:00 minute left in the game. The Broncos defense smothered Josh Dobbs with pressure on two consecutive plays on second and third down, leading to Dobbs being flagged for intentional grounding, making it 4th and 25.
Minnesota tried to rattle off a deep shot, but the pass fell incomplete, leading to the Broncos holding on for the win and improving to 5-5.
Broncos bits vs. Minnesota Vikings
- The Broncos defense generated two takeaways in Sunday’s win vs. Minnesota, accounting for 12 total takeaways in the last three weeks of play.
- Russell Wilson finished the game 27-of-35 passing for 259 yards, one touchdown, and a passer rating of 106.7.
- Despite winning, the Broncos lost the time of possession battle to Minnesota 34:58 to 25:02.
- Denver’s offense was 2-of-12 on third down against the Vikings.
- Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has now hauled in a touchdown catch in five straight games and has eight total touchdown catches on the season.
- Ja’Quan McMillian has forced a turnover in the Broncos’ last three games, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
- Broncos kicker Wil Lutz was a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts on Sunday.
- Broncos punter Riley Dixon had four punts on Sunday for 217 yards, averaging 54.3 yards per punt, including a long of 68 yards.