On Sunday Night Football, warming-up Denver hosted on-fire Minnesota. And while the Denver Broncos were riding a three-game winning streak, the Minnesota Vikings boasted five. Also, playing behind new quarterback Joshua Dobbs, the Vikings are the best story in football. And they are the hottest team in the league. Winning at home against such a tough opponent is a daunting mission for Denver. And after their ridiculously poor start, the Broncos can’t afford many more losses. With the season on the line, here’s how the Denver Broncos did facing the hottest team in the NFL.
Facing the Hottest Team In the NFL: How the Denver Broncos Played
Team Effort
Coming into the game, how the Denver Broncos played as a team would decide the outcome. For the Broncos to beat the Vikings, they would need to limit mistakes and contain Dobbs. Special teams needed to drastically improve. Also, the defense needed to continue forcing turnovers. And the offense needed to score touchdowns in big moments. With a red-hot Vikings team across the field, this seemed a herculean task.
But that is exactly what Denver pulled off. After uniting as a team, the Broncos were able to win against momentum and the moment, beating the Vikings at home on Sunday Night Football. The special teams improved, with kicker Wil Lutz making five field goals. The defense kept making plays, forcing three turnovers. And the offense scored a touchdown late when it mattered most, a pass from quarterback Russell Wilson to wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
Playoff Sights
With another win under their belts, the Broncos set their sights on the postseason. How the Denver Broncos did Sunday Night sets the stage for them to reach the playoffs, most likely as a wild card. In addition, Denver has now won four straight games. And they are now the new hottest team in the league. After an awful start, it may be too late. But the playoffs are still within reach. And the season is far from over.
Of their next seven opponents, only three currently have winning records. Two of those games are away, making them even tougher to win. If Denver loses those three games but wins their four easier contests, their record would end as 9-8. Recently, a winning season seemed impossible and like a dream. But it isn’t a fantasy any longer, it’s a real possibility. And the Broncos are on their way toward changing this season completely around.
Facing the Hottest Team In the NFL: How the Denver Broncos Won
The Broncos beat the Vikings believing in themselves. Next week, the Denver Broncos host the Cleveland Browns. And Cleveland will be starting a backup quarterback, and will also be on the road. A win will give Denver a winning record. And should they continue strong play, a winning record may stay all year. That is the hope among the fan community of Broncos Country. And the entire NFL community is beginning to believe that it might be possible as well.
In Denver, belief is creating results. And how the Denver Broncos fared in prime time two weeks in a row has put the league on notice. But the road forward is not easy. If they want to win, Denver must continue to improve. With that in mind, head coach Sean Payton cannot slow down his work. And neither can any coach on this team. The Broncos must continue to improve. But there is now real, lasting hope.
Main Photo: [Ron Chenoy] – USA Today Sports
