The Vikings have won five of six games, and have one more goal to accomplish before some much-needed time off.
The Vikings (7-3) will host the Broncos (3-6) at noon (CT) Sunday from U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota, which in position to contend for a playoff spot, has a bye in Week 12.
Denver is coming off a Week 10 bye and has won three of its past five games.
Here are five Vikings-Broncos storylines to watch on Sunday.
1. Staying perfect at home
Only two teams in the NFL can currently boast of a perfect home record more than halfway through the 2019. One team is New England, a perennial powerhouse in the AFC. And the other is the Vikings, who have earned wins over Atlanta, Oakland, Philadelphia and Washington so far this season. Minnesota gets another chance to add to its sparkling home record Sunday against the Broncos. The Vikings are 22-7 [.759 win percentage] at U.S. Bank Stadium [including the playoffs] since opening the venue in 2016. The Vikings have three home games left after this one, all against NFC North opponents, and all in December.
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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2. An unknown quarterback
The Vikings defense usually plays well at home against young quarterbacks, but there is a sense of unfamiliarity with Denver quarterback Brandon Allen, who began the season as the third-stringer. But with Joe Flacco on Injured Reserve and 2019 second-round pick Drew Lock nursing a thumb injury, the Broncos turned to Allen in Week 9 against Cleveland. Allen, a sixth-round pick by Jacksonville in 2016, simply completed 12 of 20 passes (60 percent) for 193 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He had a passer rating of 125.6 as he earned the win in starting his first-ever game. You can bet Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer and his defense will look to rattle the 27-year-old quarterback Sunday at home.
3. A pair of 1K milestones
It's almost a certainty that a pair of Vikings will each reach significant milestones Sunday, with each having to do with 1,000. Vikings kicker Dan Bailey is one point away from 1,000 for his career, as the veteran is sitting on 999 career points. Bailey has made 15 of 17 field goals in 2019, along with 27 of 29 extra points. Vikings running back Dalvin Cook — the current NFC Offensive Player of the Week — is nine rushing yards away from 1,000 on the season. Cook's 991 rushing yards lead the NFL, and is also a career-high for the former Florida State standout, who had 969 rushing yards in 15 games in 2017 and 2018. The running back also paces the NFL with 1,415 all-purpose yards, while his 10 total touchdowns are tied for second.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster for the 2019 season.
QB Sean Mannion
QB Sean Mannion
WR Stefon Diggs
WR Stefon Diggs
WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Alexander Hollins
WR Alexander Hollins
G Josh Kline
G Josh Kline
G Pat Elflein
G Pat Elflein
T Aviante Collins
T Aviante Collins
73 G Dru Samia
DE Stephen Weatherly
DE Eddie Yarbrough
DE Eddie Yarbrough
DT Linval Joseph
DT Linval Joseph
LB Kentrell Brothers
LB Kentrell Brothers
CB Xavier Rhodes
CB Xavier Rhodes
CB Trae Waynes
CB Trae Waynes
CB Marcus Sherels
CB Marcus Sherels
CB Nate Meadors
26 CB Nate Meadors
CB Holton Hill
CB Holton Hill
S Andrew Sendejo
S Andrew Sendejo
S Jayron Kearse
S Jayron Kearse
58 LS Austin Cutting
LS Austin Cutting
4. Denver's defense
Don't be fooled by the Broncos 3-6 record, as Denver still has a stout veteran defense, especially against the pass. The Broncos are sixth overall in points allowed (18.9) and fourth in both total yards allowed (309.7) and passing yards allowed (202.1) per game. Opposing quarterbacks also produce an 83.3 passer rating against the Broncos, which is the seventh-lowest in the league. The Broncos didn't record a single sack in four of five games during a 1-4 start, but have 14 sacks in their past four games, including an outburst of seven sacks against Tennessee in Week 6. Derek Wolfe has a team-high 5.0 sacks for the Broncos, while Von Miller and DeMarcus Walker have 4.0 apiece. Safety Justin Simmons leads the team with a pair of interceptions.
Pro Bowl Voting
Last chance! Vote to help make sure all your favorite Vikings make the 2020 Pro Bowl in Orlando. Voting ends Dec. 12, 2019.
5. Keeping an eye on the playoff race
The NFC playoff field appears as if it is going to be full of heavyweights, as there are currently five teams in the conference with seven-plus wins. Here is a look at the current NFC playoff picture:
1. San Francisco (8-1) – NFC West leader
2. Green Bay (8-2) – NFC North leader
3. New Orleans (7-2) – NFC South leader
4. Dallas (5-4) – NFC East leader
5. Seattle (8-2) – Wild-Card No. 1
6. Minnesota (7-3) – Wild-Card No. 2
The Vikings are still in the race for a third division title in five seasons, but have some work to do to catch the Packers. Minnesota's win over Dallas in Week 10 did give the Vikings a little bit of cushion in the Wild Card race, as three teams — the Rams, Eagles and Panthers — all sit at 5-4.
