The Vikings are scheduled to visit the Broncos at 3:25 p.m. CT Sunday. Here are 10 numbers of note about the matchup:
0 — points allowed by the Vikings and Broncos during the first quarters of each of their three games; the Steelers are the only other team in the league to begin with three shutouts in opening quarters this season
1 — NFL ranking for Denver's total defense (259 yards allowed per game) and pass defense (176.3 yards allowed per game); the Vikings rank 18th in total defense (362.3 yards allowed per game) and 16th in pass defense (243 yards allowed per game)
2 — punt return yards allowed by the Vikings on four total returns this season (0.5 avg.), which is the best in the league; the Broncos rank 24th in punt return average (6.6 yards)
4.81 — yards per carry average by the Vikings through three games, which is second in the NFL, behind the Raiders 4.85 clip; the Vikings are allowing 4.31, but only 2.91 in their past two games, which also ranks second; the Broncos are averaging 2.6 yards per carry and allowing 3.5 yards per carry
15 —sacks recorded apiece by Minnesota's Everson Griffen* *and Denver's Von Miller since the start of the 2014 season, which is tied for sixth-most in the NFL; Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson's 7.5 during that span place him sixth among DTs across the league
Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the Broncos.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ahmad Rashad (28) is wrapped up by the Denver Broncos defender Tom Jackson (57) after Rashad pulled in a pass from his quarterback during first half action in their game at Denver's Mile High Stadium, Nov. 2, 1981. (AP Photo)
Minnesota Vikings Ahmad Rashad (28) bobbles a Fran Tarkenton pass in second quarter action against the Denver Broncos at Bloomington, Minn., Sept. 11, 1978. Defending on the play for Denver are linebacker Tom Jackson (57) and strong safety Bill Thompson. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter (80) celebrates after a touchdonwn during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos Oct. 31, 1999, in Denver. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler (16) attempts to avoid Minnesota Vikings running back Joe Banyard (23) on a 11 yard reception during fourth quarter action in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO September 27, 2015. (Eric Bakke via AP)
FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2015, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson waves during warms ups before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, in Denver. Free-agent running back Adrian Peterson has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have not announced a deal, but Peterson tells ESPN in a statement that he's agreed to play in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney, File)
Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) tackles Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) passes to Demaryius Thomas during Denver's third series of the 2nd quarter of action against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO September 27, 2015. (Eric Bakke via AP)
action against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO September 27, 2015. (Eric Bakke via AP)
Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) celebrates a sack during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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16 —number of career rushing touchdowns of 40 or more yards by Adrian Peterson, whose 43-yard score gave him 93 total TDs (tied with Randy Moss for second-most in franchise history); Barry Sanders, who had 20 scores of 40 or more yards is the only player ahead of Peterson in that category* *
38.2 — average starting field position for the Vikings, which leads the NFL and is 10.3 yards better than the league average; Minnesota also leads the league in opponent's starting field position 17.3, which is 9.4 better than the league average
49 and 50 — points allowed by the Broncos and Vikings, respectively, so far this season; Denver is tied for third in the NFL, and Minnesota is the fifth-most stingy club; the Vikings have scored 60, and the Broncos have scored 74
291 —NFL-leading rushing total for Peterson, who has had back-to-back games with 100 , to be nominated a second straight time for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week (click **here** to vote until 2 p.m. (CT) Thursday); Peterson has pushed his career total to 10,481 rushing yards, moving past Eddie George (10,441) and Tiki Barber (10,449) for 25th-most in NFL history with 126 on Sunday
730 — accepted penalties through three weeks, which is the new all-time high, topping 716 in 2005; that amounts to 22.8 per team; the Vikings have been assessed 18 this season, and five offensive penalties on Minnesota is tied for fewest in the NFL; the Broncos have had 25 assessed against them
