Undefeated Denver Broncos Host Adrian Peterson, 2-1 Minnesota Vikings

A week four matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos will feature the confrontation between the NFL's top running back in Adrian Peterson and the Denver Broncos' top rated defense.  

The Vikings can be expected to go heavy on the ground game in hopes of wearing down the defense enough for Teddy Bridgewater and the passing game to connect on some long completions. Against the Broncos defense, the Vikings will look for opportunities in the passing game if they can catch Denver's linebackers and safeties overpursuing Peterson, leaving their receivers open downfield.

The Broncos will continue to work out the kinks in an offense that has come alive over the past six quarters.  The running game remains a concern as it's averaging just over 2-yards a carry. However, with Peyton Manning in the shotgun or pistol with a talented wide receiving corps to target, the Broncos will always be a passing team that has the capability to score quickly and in bunches to go along with an opportunistic defense that can score itself.

Minnesota Vikings - Denver Broncos 

Week 4 - 10/04/15

Time:  4:25 PM ET

TV:  FOX

Location:  Sports Authority Field at Mile High

 Line:  Broncos -7 (Westgate Superbook)

2015 Record

Minnesota Vikings

Overall: 

2-1 (2nd, NFC North)

Home: 2-0

Road: 0-1

Denver Broncos

Overall:  

3-0 (1st, AFC West)

Home: 1-0

Road: 2-0

Head-To-Head Record

Regular Season: Vikings lead 7-6

Playoffs: 0-0

At Denver:  Series tied 3-3

Last Met:

12/04/11 at Minnesota:  Broncos 35  Vikings 32.  The Vikings got a taste of "Tebow Time" as former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow rallied Denver to a game winning field goal and a fifth straight win.

Starters:

What To Look For As The Broncos Take On The Vikings

Who is protecting Peyton Manning?

Once again the offensive line has been reshuffled. Thanks to a shoulder injury to left tackle Ty Sambrailo last week against the Detroit Lions, the Broncos have moved right tackle Ryan Harris over to replace him. 2014 third-round pick Michael Schofield will make his NFL debut at right tackle.

How will Adrian Peterson affect the Broncos defense?

Peterson enters Sunday's game on a tear and is ranked first in rushing yards (291) on the year. The Denver defense is ranked sixth against the run and will need to contain Peterson without giving up a big passing play down the field. The Vikings are hoping that the focus on stopping Peterson will give them three or four opportunities in the game for Teddy Bridgewater to connect with a wide open Mike Wallace for big gains. It will be up to the Broncos secondary to not lose sight of Wallace or any other receiver while the linebackers resist the temptation to over-pursue Peterson.

Can the Broncos offense continue to progress?

Since the third quarter of their Week 2 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos have increased the number of pistol and shotgun formations to good effect.  Manning has looked increasingly comfortable and the offense has produced results that are more like Broncos' offenses in recent years. Against the Lions, Manning threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns, his best performance so far this season. You can expect more of the same against the Vikings with an emphasis on jump starting the run game against Minnesota's 24th ranked run defense.

Stats via NFL.com