Broncos Vikings Betting – Denver Roll Continues In Minnesota
From online betting players to casual NFL fans, everyone has been captivated by Denver’s recent streak sparked by an adjustment to their offense and a defense that has stepped up to protect that offense. Despite the likelihood that one of their best defensive players will be on the sidelines, the Broncos will continue to roll towards the postseason when they head to Minnesota this weekend.
What: NFL Football
When: December 4th, 1:00 PM ET
Where: Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN
Pick: Denver Broncos +1
Why Bet On Denver Broncos (6-5 SU, 6-5 ATS)
The Broncos look like a college team from the SEC, which is fitting as they’re helmed by Florida alumni Tim Tebow, but they continue to win after a 16-13 victory in overtime in San Diego. The spread offense is still working as Tebow was 9-of-18 for 143 yards and a touchdown, while running for another 67 yards, while Willis McGahee’s 117 yards led a rushing attack that racked up 208 yards. But the defense continues to prop up the team while the offense puts up 15-18 points per game. They allowed 344 yards and didn’t force a turnover, but the Broncos had three sacks and were in Philip Rivers’ face all day long. They stopped the Chargers on 11 of 17 third-down opportunities, and just when San Diego looked like they were going to build momentum, the Broncos stepped up and made the stop they needed to make.
However, the defense may be suffering a huge blow as rookie linebacker Von Miller (thumb) had surgery and may have to sit this one out. Miller has to be the NFL betting favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year and has 10.5 sacks on the season, and he would be a massive loss to the Broncos. Receiver Eddie Royal (ankle) hasn’t practiced this week, but Miller is a much larger concern for the Broncos because they don’t pass the ball anyway. They run with Tebow and McGahee, which minimizes their turnovers and they depend on their defense to be stout. However, they’re up against a Minnesota offense that isn’t very good, so if Miller is going to miss a game, this is the one to miss.
Why Bet On Minnesota Vikings (2-9 SU, 4-5-2 ATS)
Minnesota dug themselves into a 17-0 hole by halftime, but couldn’t get out in a 24-14 loss in Atlanta and their offensive struggles shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone with Adrian Peterson on the sidelines. Christian Ponder was 17-of-25 for 186 yards and a touchdown, but the rushing game had just 64 yards. The Falcons are great against the run in the first place, but when Toby Gerhart is in the backfield and not Peterson, it’s easy to put eight in the box and dare Ponder, with a subpar (at best) group of receivers. Percy Harvin had eight receptions for 95 yards and a score for the Vikings, who were only 4-of-13 on third down. The defense did everything they could to keep the Vikings in the game, holding the Atlanta ground game to 89 yards, but Matt Ryan had a fantastic game against a Minnesota secondary that has been battered by injuries in the past few weeks.
The injuries continue for the Vikings as receiver Michael Jenkins (knee) is out for the rest of the season, and Peterson (ankle) is likely out for this week as well. That puts even more pressure on Ponder, who was sacked four times against the Falcons and you won’t find a happier person than Ponder if Miller has to sit out this week. It’s so bad that the Vikings may convert third-string pivot Joe Webb to receiver to give Ponder some help. As we said, the defense will try to do everything they can and their linebackers, Chad Greenway and E.J. Henderson, combined for 28 tackles against Atlanta. They’ll be counted on for a similar performance against the Broncos.
How It Will Play Out
NFL betting odds have the Vikings as a 1-point favorite at home, and they’re 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five against the Broncos since 1993, with three of the last four falling under the posted total. It’s a good bet that this game will also be a low-scoring affair, given that you have two rookie quarterbacks (Tebow played at Florida and Ponder at Florida State, so it’s a reunion of sorts) and a pair of defenses that can do a good job.
The Broncos should be able to win this game comfortably and you may even see them air it out a little more with the problems that Minnesota is having in the secondary. With Peterson in the lineup, the Vikings would be able to pull this out, but not with Toby Gerhart in the lineup. Take Denver to post a sports betting “upset”.
Broncos Vikings Betting Pick: Denver Broncos
