Minnesota Vikings vs Denver Broncos Picks and Prediction for Friday August 28 2026
On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings (1-1) face off against the Denver Broncos (1-1) at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado in preseason play. Get involved in the action with our free NFL picks.
Minnesota vs. Denver Game Information
- August 28, 2026
- 9:00 PM EST
- Empower Field at Mile High
- NFL Network/KUSA-TV (9NEWS)
Denver Form & Recent Results
Denver heads into this matchup with a 1-1 record through its first two preseason games, so the team is still trying to build consistency before the regular season begins. In their most recent game, the Broncos fell 33-13 at home against the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham completed 9 of his 15 pass attempts, but he also threw an interception, which slowed down Denver’s offensive rhythm. On the ground, Cody Schrader led the team with 15 rushing yards on four carries, while Jaylen Waddle made an impact in the passing game with one catch for 35 yards.
In their first two preseason matchups, Denver has averaged 20 points per game, showing some flashes offensively but still leaving room for improvement. As they prepare to host the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, the Broncos will be looking to earn their first preseason home win and put together a more complete performance on both sides of the ball. After the success they enjoyed last season, Denver’s goal is to carry that momentum forward, sharpen its execution, and prove it can be one of the stronger teams once again.
Minnesota Form & Recent Results
Minnesota comes into this preseason matchup with a 1-1 record after splitting its first two games. The Vikings are trying to bounce back from a 13-3 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens, a game where the offense struggled to find much rhythm. Quarterback Max Brosmer completed 11 of his 17 passes, but he also threw an interception, which stalled one of Minnesota’s opportunities to build momentum. On the ground, Zavier Scott led the way with 28 rushing yards on seven carries, while rookie wide receiver Tai Felton was one of the brighter spots in the passing game, finishing with three catches for 66 yards.
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The Vikings have only averaged just eight points on average throughout their first two games of the preseason, so there is clearly room for improvement on the offensive side of the ball. While preseason results do not always tell the full story, Minnesota would still like to see more consistency, better execution, and stronger drives from its quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers. Friday night’s matchup in Denver gives the Vikings another chance to sharpen things up, build confidence, and show more life offensively against the Broncos before the regular season gets closer.
Key Stats
- Minnesota’s Max Brosmer this preseason: 11-for-17, 1 INT
- Denver’s Jarrett Stidham this preseason: 9-for-15, 1 INT
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- DEN -6; O/U 39.5
Minnesota vs. Denver Picks and Prediction
The Broncos were one of the league’s top teams last season, and they’ll be looking to carry that same level of play into this year. This week, they’ll get a chance to make another strong impression as they host the Vikings in a Week 3 preseason matchup at Mile High. For Denver, this is a good opportunity to sharpen things up in front of the home crowd and build momentum before the regular season. Minnesota, meanwhile, has had a hard time getting much going offensively through its first two preseason games. The Vikings’ offense has struggled to find rhythm, create explosive plays, or consistently move the ball, and that’s something the Broncos’ defense will surely try to take advantage of. If Denver can control the tempo early and put pressure on Minnesota’s offense, the Broncos should be in position to put together a solid preseason performance. Final Score Prediction, Denver Broncos win but fail to cover the spread, 22-20.
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