Broncos vs Vikings Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Preseason Week 3 on 8/28/2026

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Denver Broncos in Week 3 of the 2026 preseason. This game will be held at Empower Field at Mile High, an outdoor stadium in Denver, Colorado. Fans can catch the action on NFL Network starting at 9:00 PM on Friday, August 28.

Both teams enter this preseason game with identical records of 1-1. The Vikings, led by head coach Kevin O'Connell, are looking to bounce back from their recent 13-3 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, the Broncos, under the guidance of head coach Sean Payton, aim to recover from a 33-13 defeat against the Green Bay Packers.

The weather forecast in Denver predicts a very hot day with a light breeze under broken clouds. This could impact player performance, particularly in the high-altitude environment of Denver. With both teams eager to refine their rosters and strategies, this game serves as an essential stepping stone toward the regular season.

Broncos vs Vikings At a Glance (Preseason Week 3)

• The Minnesota Vikings will play the Denver Broncos in Week 3 of the 2026 preseason.
• The game will take place at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.
• Both teams currently have a preseason record of 1-1.
• The weather forecast predicts a very hot day with broken clouds and a light breeze.
• The Denver Broncos are the favorites with a moneyline of -267, compared to the Vikings' +218.
• The point spread is set at 6.5, with the Broncos favored to cover.

Denver Broncos Prepare for Vikings Test in Preseason Showdown

Offensive Outlook

The Denver Broncos' offense in the 2026 preseason ranks 9th with 20 points per game. They have accumulated 584 offensive yards, placing them 17th overall. Their passing game is currently sitting at 20th with 176 passing yards per game.

On the rushing front, the Broncos have shown more promise, ranking 9th with 116 rushing yards per game. Last season, they finished 15th in rushing with an average of 118.7 yards per game. This indicates a consistent performance from their running backs.

Defensive Strengths

Defensively, the Broncos have managed to maintain a strong presence, ranking 8th in opponent offensive yards with 245.5 yards allowed per game. Their pass defense is particularly notable, holding opponents to just 157 passing yards per game, ranking them 7th.

They have recorded two sacks in the preseason, ranking 6th, while their ability to intercept passes ranks 3rd with two interceptions. This defensive strength will be crucial in their upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Key Players to Watch

On offense, Courtland Sutton has been a standout player with 60 receiving yards in two games. Jarrett Stidham has shown potential as a quarterback, throwing for 213 yards and 1 touchdown over two games.

RJ Harvey, with 21 rushing yards and 25 receiving yards, has also been an important player for the Broncos. On defense, Kris Abrams-Draine and Reese Taylor have contributed solid performances in the secondary.

Injury Concerns

The Broncos have some key injuries to navigate, with Michael Deiter out for the season due to a quad injury. Matt Henningsen also suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the 2026-27 season.

Nick Gargiulo is recovering from a knee injury, and Levelle Bailey is out for the season with a broken leg. These injuries could impact the team's depth in upcoming games.

Upcoming Game Details

The Denver Broncos will host the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 9:00 PM. This preseason game is crucial as the Broncos aim to refine their strategies ahead of the regular season.

Looking ahead, their first regular-season game will be against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2026. It will be an early test of their readiness for the new season.

Denver Broncos Betting Trends

• Won 13 of their last 14 regular-season games in 2025.
• Covered the spread in 12 of their last 13 preseason games as favorites from 2021 to 2026.
• Covered the spread in 11 of their last 12 preseason games from 2022 to 2026.
• Won 11 of their last 12 regular-season games after a win in 2025.
• Won all 6 of their last away preseason games from 2023 to 2026.

Minnesota Vikings Prepare for Denver Challenge

Quarterback Performance

The Minnesota Vikings have a diverse quarterback lineup led by Carson Wentz, who has thrown for 173 yards with one touchdown in the 2026 preseason. J.J. McCarthy follows with 115 passing yards, showcasing consistency with no interceptions. Max Brosmer has added 104 yards but needs to reduce turnovers, having thrown one interception.

Running Game Insights

Aaron Jones Sr. leads the Vikings' rushing attack with 27 yards in limited action this preseason. Demond Claiborne and Zavier Scott provide additional depth, contributing 52 and 34 rushing yards, respectively. The backfield's performance will be crucial as the Vikings aim to improve their ground game.

Receiving Corps Evaluation

Myles Price has been a standout in the receiving unit, securing five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Dillon Bell and Tai Felton also contribute to the aerial assault, with Bell tallying 51 yards and Felton adding 71. The absence of Jeshaun Jones due to suspension creates an opportunity for other receivers to step up.

Defensive Standouts

The Vikings' defense has been a strong point, ranking third in opponent offensive yards allowed in the preseason. Jay Ward and Jacob Roberts have been key contributors, with Ward recording a sack and Roberts securing an interception. Their defensive efforts will be vital against the Broncos' offense.

Special Teams Impact

Kicker Will Reichard has been reliable, making three field goals and one extra point in the preseason. His consistency will be a key factor in close games. The special teams unit as a whole will play a pivotal role in field position battles.

Injury and Suspension Updates

The Vikings face challenges with several players on the injury list, including Jamal Adams and Taki Taimani, who are out for the season. Jeshaun Jones' suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy further impacts the team's depth. These absences will test the Vikings' roster resilience.

Team Betting Trends

• The Vikings are 5-0 straight up in their last five regular-season games from 2025.
• They are also 5-0 against the spread in those same regular-season games.
• As underdogs in preseason games between 2024 and 2025, they have a 3-1 record straight up.
• In away preseason games between 2024 and 2026, they have a 3-1 record straight up and against the spread.

Broncos vs Vikings Prediction: Under 39.5

The Denver Broncos, known for their strong defensive performance last season, allowed only 18.3 points per game, ranking them 3rd in the league. In the preseason, their defense continues to impress, giving up just 20 points per game. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings' offense has struggled, scoring only 8 points per game in the 2026 preseason.

In past head-to-head meetings, these teams have tended to produce lower-scoring games. For instance, their last regular-season meeting resulted in a combined score of 41 points, which was under the line. With the current line set at 39.5, the trend of defensive dominance and inconsistent scoring from the Vikings suggests this game will also fall short of that mark.

Furthermore, the Broncos' home advantage and altitude at Empower Field at Mile High might also contribute to a lower-scoring game as it tends to challenge visiting teams' endurance. Combine these factors with the Broncos' 91.7% success rate against the spread in preseason games with totals of 42 or less, and it seems likely the total will stay under 39.5.

Considering both teams' current preseason form and historical performances, I project a low-scoring affair. A final score of Broncos 21 - Vikings 13 aligns with the prediction that the total score will fall below the 39.5 threshold.

• Broncos vs Vikings Prediction: Under 39.5
• Broncos vs Vikings Score: Broncos 21 - Vikings 13

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