Broncos Vikings Betting – Jackson, Webb and Rosenfels Take Center Stage
An early-September preseason game means that the last preseason game is upon us. In these kinds of situations, the better backups often have a lot to do with the scoreboard outcome. How will this dynamic affect the matchup between Denver and Minnesota? Read on for more details. There’s also something of a unique twist in connection with this particular game.
NFL Betting: Denver Broncos @ Minnesota Vikings
Online Betting Odds: Vikings -5
Why To Bet On The Broncos
The biggest reason to bet on Denver in this game can be traced to the Broncos’ 34-17 win over Pittsburgh this past Sunday. With Pittsburgh having to prepare quarterbacks other than Ben Roethlisberger for the upcoming season (given Big Ben’s suspension starting on opening day, Sept. 12), the Steelers had to throw their backups – Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch – into the fire. The Broncos pounced in response.
Both Andre’ Goodman and Syd’Quan Thompson – the apostrophes suggest excellence in each case – registered pick-sixes against Dixon and Batch, providing 14 instant points for the victorious Broncos. Perrish Cox also added an interception of Dixon, giving the Denver secondary three takeaways against the Steelers.
In this contest, Minnesota will naturally be taking things easy on old man Brett Favre, who doesn’t need to risk his body until the regular season begins. The Vikings will be showcasing backups Tarvaris Jackson, Joe Webb, and Sage Rosenfels. This reality offers Denver’s back line of defense the chance to pilfer the pigskin on many more occasions. If the Broncos can run wild on defense the way they did against Pittsburgh’s backup field generals, they’d stand a very good chance of traveling to the Metrodome and winning.
Why To Bet On The Vikings
There are a few complicating factors that should get in the way of a Denver path to victory. First, both Webb and Rosenfels threw touchdown passes in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s 24-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks last weekend. The Vikings’ own backup quarterbacks held up a lot better than Pittsburgh’s did in week three of the preseason. As long as Webb and Rosenfels, plus Jackson, can exhibit good ball security, the Vikings will force Denver’s own roster of quarterbacks – especially Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn – to win this game. That’s a losing proposition for the Broncos and head coach Josh McDaniels.
The other big reason to bet on Minnesota – this is actually an even better reason than the one just given – is that Denver was one of only two teams to play its third (and next-to-last) preseason game on a Sunday night. In this final week of preseason play, the obvious need to put every NFL team on equal footing has forced the league to play every exhibition finale on the same night: Thursday, Sept. 2. Therefore, Denver has only three days of rest heading into this contest, and one of those three days is being taken up by a travel day. The Broncos should be bone weary heading into this game, and with their regular-season plans already beginning to take shape, it would certainly seem that there’s no reason for Denver to invest any energy in this game. Minnesota, playing at home for the second straight week, should be far more rested and ready to play on Thursday.
How The Game Will Play Out
Minnesota’s freshness and Denver’s brutal preseason schedule will catch up with the Broncos here. Take the Vikings in what is probably the best percentage betting play on Sept. 2.
Broncos Vikings Betting Pick: Vikings -5
