EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings (7-3) will look to build off a statement prime-time win at Dallas, return home and defeat Denver before heading into the bye.
The Vikings will face the Broncos (3-6) for just the 15th time in franchise history. The all-time series is tied at 7-7, but Minnesota has lost three in a row.
Under Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer, Minnesota has played Denver just once in the regular season. The Vikings lost a close one on Oct. 4, 2015, falling 23-20 to the AFC team. The last win for Minnesota in the series? Oct. 19, 2003, at the Metrodome.
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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Here's a look at 10 numbers of note heading into Sunday's matchup:
13 – The Broncos have 13 players listed on Injured Reserve, including veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who impressed as a rookie last season. Brandon Allen, originally a sixth-round draft pick in 2016, is slated to start against Minnesota. In his lone start for Denver, Allen was 12-of-20 for 193 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 125.6.
153.0 – Minnesota is averaging 153.0 rushing yards per game, which is third-best in the NFL behind Baltimore (197.2) and San Francisco (161.8).
10.64 – The Broncos have given up sacks on 10.64 percent of their passing attempts, which is 29th in the league. Only the Dolphins (11.04), Jets (13.78) and Titans (14.19) have allowed a higher sack rate of their quarterbacks. The Vikings rank 12th with an allowance rate of 5.96 percent.
991 – Vikings running back Dalvin Cook continues to lead the NFL in rushing with 991 yards on the ground. He has just a two-yard edge over Carolina's Christian McCaffrey, who will play the Falcons on Sunday.
9 – Broncos safety Justin Simmons is impressing in his fourth season. The 25-year-old leads the team with nine passes defensed, which is tied for fifth-most in the NFL, and also has two of Denver's five interceptions. Simmons has 53 tackles (league stats) on the year so far.
37.04 – Denver's defense has been incredibly stingy in the red zone. The Broncos have allowed opponents to score on just 37.04 percent of their trips inside the 20, which is second-best in the NFL behind the 49ers.
1 – Vikings kicker Dan Bailey is just one point away from reaching the 1,000-point mark for his career. The eighth-year pro made two field goals and kicked two extra points against his former team in Dallas on Sunday Night Football, but Minnesota opted to a 2-point conversion rather than PAT after its last touchdown of the night.
15.7 – Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton is averaging 15.7 yards per catch, currently leading the team with 692 receiving yards and four touchdowns. A second-round draft pick in 2018, Sutton already has matched his rookie season scoring total and needs just 12 yards to reach last season's yardage total.
13 – Minnesota's defense has allowed more yards by opponents this season than in recent history, currently ranking 13th with 333.1 yards against. The Vikings have been stouter against the run, allowing 91.2 yards on the ground (seventh) versus 241.9 yards through the air (18th).
32 – The Broncos are coached this year by Vic Fangio, whom the Vikings are quite familiar with. He served as the Bears defensive coordinator from 2015-18 before Denver hired him as the head man. Between Fangio and Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer, the two bring 32 seasons of NFL defensive coordinator experience to the table.
