Dumervil Drops PonderElvis Dumervil broke into the backfield to sack Christian Ponder on third down, forcing a Vikings punt. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard and defensive tackle Ryan McBean helped finish off the play.
Dumervil now has 6.5 sacks on the season, including at least a half sack in five consecutive contests. He now has 49.5 quarterback takedowns for his career.
The Broncos will take over from their 23 after the punt.
-Stuart Zaas
Haggan Comes Up With a Pick-6Linebacker Mario Haggan, starting in place of the injured Von Miller, has put the Broncos on the board with an interception returned for a touchdown.
On 2nd-and-8 from the Minnesota 9-yard line, Ponder dropped back and threw a pass which Haggan jumped in front of for his first career interception. He returned it 16 yards for his first career touchdown, carrying a few Vikings players into the end zone during the process.
It was the third defensive touchdown of the year for the Broncos, who now lead 7-2 with 5:50 remaining in the first quarter. It capped a strong opening three series for the defense, who forced a punt, fumble and interception. Denver’s three interceptions returned for touchdowns this season are tied for the most in the NFL in 2011.
The Vikings started the series on their own 7-yard line, thanks to a well-placed punt by Britton Colquitt and a great play by Matthew Willis as he jumped and batted the ball just as it bounced towards the end zone.
Click here to listen to the audio highlight of the play, courtesy of AM 850 KOA.
-Kenny Legan
Broncos Stop Vikings With Fumble RecoveryJust when it looked like Minnesota was going to add onto its 2-0 lead, the Broncos came up with a big play.
On 3rd-and-goal from the Broncos 8-yard line, safety Brian Dawkins came on a delayed blitz and sacked Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, forcing the ball loose. Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter picked the ball up, after it rolled about 15 yards backwards, and ran it back all the way to midfield before he was brought down.
The sack was Dawkins’ 26th of his career, which ranks third in NFL history among defensive backs. It’s also his 36th career forced fumble, which ranks third all-time among all players, since the statistic was tracked starting in 1994.
Click here to hear the audio highlight of the play, courtesy of AM 850 KOA.
-Kenny Legan
Broncos StartersThe Broncos started the game on defense. The starters were: LDE Robert Ayers, NT Brodrick Bunkley, DT Marcus Thomas, RDE Elvis Dumervil, SLB Mario Haggan, MLB Joe Mays, WLB D.J. Williams, CB Champ Bailey, CB Andre’ Goodman, CB Chris Harris and FS Quinton Carter.
On offense the starters were LT Ryan Clady, LG Zane Beadles, C J.D. Walton, RG Chris Kuper, RT Orlando Franklin, T Chris Clark, TE Virgil Green, TE Daniel Fells, WR Eric Decker, QB Tim Tebow and RB Willis McGahee.
-Kenny Legan
Vikings Force a SafetyThe Minnesota Vikings have struck first here at Mall of America Field, forcing a safety on the first Broncos offensive snap.
After Denver forced Minnesota to punt — a 51-yarder which the Vikings downed on the 1-inch line — quarterback Tim Tebow handed off to running back Willis McGahee. But Jared Allen was able to get into the backfield and tackle McGahee in the end zone for a safety. It was Allen’s fourth career safety, which ties an NFL record.
Minnesota will get the ball back leading 2-0 with 12:44 left in the first quarter.
-Kenny Legan
Broncos at Vikings: Pregame PhotosHere’s a look at pregame warmups from the field, courtesy of Eric Lars Bakke and Ben Hays.
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Broncos to Kick OffGame captain Eric Decker joined Broncos season captains Chris Kuper, Willis McGahee, Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins and Wesley Woodyard for the coin toss. Denver called tails and the coin landed on heads.
Minnesota chose to receive the ball to start the game. The Broncos are 3-2 this season when losing the opening coin toss.
-Stuart Zaas
Broncos-Vikings Gets Wide Audience
As a result of today’s Broncos-Vikings game moving to an 12 p.m. CST kickoff on FOX, most of the country will see today’s matchup.
The map above, courtesy of the506.com, shows where the game will be broadcast. The contest was originally scheduled to kick off at 2:05 p.m. CST on CBS, but was moved up, giving the game a larger national audience.
-Stuart Zaas
Broncos at Vikings: InactivesThe following players will be inactive for today’s game.
Broncos:S Rahim Moore, FB Quinn Johnson, SLB Mike Mohamed, LB Von Miller, G Manny Ramirez, T Tony Hills and Julius Thomas.
Here is the official inactive sheet that Head Coach John Fox turned into the game officials this morning:
LB Mario Haggan will start in place of Von Miller today.
Vikings: CB Asher Allen, RB Adrian Peterson, CB Chris Cook, S Andrew Sendejo, OL Brandon Fusco, OL DeMarcus Love and DE D’Aundre Reed.
Toby Gerhart will start at running back in place of Peterson and Benny Sapp will get the start at cornerback for Allen.
-Stuart Zaas
Broncos vs. Vikings: Series History
Denver and Minnesota will meet for the 13th time on Sunday. The Broncos have posted a 5-7 record against the Vikings and are 2-4 on the road in the series.
The teams haven’t met in the regular season since 2007, when Denver beat Minnesota 22-19 in overtime, and have met just twice in the past decade.
The series has been tightly contested throughout its history, with 11 of the 12 previous matchups being decided by a one-score margin. Denver averages 21.5 points per game and Minnesota averages 21.1 points when the teams have met.
Click to continue reading “Broncos vs. Vikings: Series History”