Previewing This Week’s Vikings Game: Week 11 at Denver Broncos
The Minnesota Vikings continued their winning ways this past weekend by defeating the New Orleans Saints at home by a score of 27-19.
With the win, Minnesota earned another big in-conference victory over another NFC playoff contender and have seen their playoff odds leap.
Now, though, all attention turns towards a Week 11 primetime matchup against the Denver Broncos. Here is a look at everything you need to know heading into this week’s Vikings game.
How to Watch This Week’s Vikings Game
This weekend’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos will take place during the Sunday Night Football timeslot. Kickoff between the two teams is scheduled for 7:20 PM Central on Sunday, November 19th, and it will be broadcast on NBC.
Broncos/Vikings History
Throughout the history of the two franchises, the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings have met a total of 15 times. The Vikings narrowly lead the all-time series with an 8-7 record against the Broncos.
Most recently, the two teams met on November 17th, 2019, and the Vikings earned a 27-23 win behind a 20-point outburst in the fourth quarter. They trailed 20-0 at halftime of that game before scoring 27 of the 30 points in the second half. Hopefully, this time around the Vikings can win a bit more handily.
Two Red-Hot Teams
Currently, there are three teams in the NFL that have won at least three games in a row. Two of them will meet on Sunday night. Of course, the Vikings have won five straight games (the longest winning streak in the NFL right now), and the Broncos are also on a three-game winning streak after their last-second win over the Bills on Monday.
Both teams have worked their way back into the playoff hunt because of these winning streaks. Minnesota has a firm grasp of the No. 7 seed in the NFC while Denver sits just one game out of the playoffs in the AFC. One of these streaks will come to end on the primetime stage this weekend.
Vikings Spotlight Player: LB Anthony Barr
The Vikings will go into Week 11 without starting LB Jordan Hicks, who suffered a lower leg contusion last Sunday. As a result, they brought back 4-time Pro Bowler Anthony Barr, who signed with the practice squad on Monday.
While Ivan Pace will likely get plenty of reps at linebacker again, Barr may also be implemented into the defense this weekend. During his prime, the veteran was an adept blitzer (totaling 60+ blitzes three times from 2018-2021). Brian Flores loves sending his linebackers on blitzes, and Barr will almost certainly get a chance to do that in this scheme.
Broncos Spotlight Player: CB Ja’Quan McMillian
A big reason for Denver’s recent turnaround has been their play on the defensive side of the ball. Second-year CB Ja’Quan McMillian has been a big reason for that. The 2022 UDFA has played more than 50 of the defensive snaps in each of the past two games, and he made his first start of the season in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills.
Over these past couple weeks (and for much of the season when given the chance), McMillian has been a lockdown player at the cornerback spot. He has been targeted 11 times during Denver’s last two wins, and he has allowed just 5 receptions for 61 yards and had an interception against the Chiefs in Week 8. Minnesota will have to find a way to get the better of McMillian and Pat Surtain in order to generate offense in the passing game on Sunday night.
Additional Links
- The 2023 NFL Standings Got Even Weirder Heading into Week 11
- Week 11 NFL Power Rankings
- Vikings Snap Counts for Week 10
- A Vikings Rookie Is Emerging as a Playmaker
- Film Analysis: The Exquisite Ty Chandler TD
On Monday, the Vikings Pulled Off a Couple Roster Additions
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.