The Broncos will take on the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. MT.
MATCHUP
To kick off their preseason slate, the Broncos are in Minnesota to face the Vikings after a series of joint practices. While the extent of the work each team's starters will receive is uncertain, the team and fans alike will be able to get a look at the quarterback competition in real game action for the first time. Head Coach Vic Fangio said incumbent starter Drew Lock will get the starting nod vs. Minnesota, while Teddy Bridgewater will get those honors next week vs. Seattle. The Vikings' defense is led by a crew of players with Pro Bowl selections to their names, including safety Harrison Smith, linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks and defensive end Danielle Hunter — and they added NFL 2010s All-Decade Team cornerback Patrick Peterson to the team this offseason. That squad should give Lock a good test, though the team may choose to rest some of players. It will also be worth watching wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in his first game action since his rookie season; he's consistently been explosive and tough to cover throughout training camp.
On the other side, we may see outside linebacker Von Miller back in a game for the first time since 2019. Fangio said Wednesday that he had yet to determine whether Miller would play Saturday. He and other members of the front seven, including Shelby Harris and Bradley Chubb were able to get good pressure on Vikings quarterbacks, including Kirk Cousins, during the joint practices. This first game will also present us with the opportunity to possibly see the highly anticipated Broncos' secondary all together. While Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson will almost surely miss the game as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that kept him out of both joint practices, two-time Pro Bowler Adam Thielen will be a good challenge for the likes of Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan.
And finally, this opener will probably include a good dose of action for Broncos rookies, including draft picks like cornerback ePat Surtain II, running back Javonte Williams and offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz.
It may not be the real thing just yet, but there's more than enough interesting storylines to watch on Saturday.
WATCH ON TV: NFL Network and KTVD Channel 20
Play-by-Play: Steve Levy
Analyst: Brian Griese
Sideline: Rod Mackey
WATCH ON MOBILE
In-market fans can stream the game on DenverBroncos.com or in the Broncos 365 app via mobile web on iOS on iPhones and iPads and through the Yahoo Sports app. Streaming is available on Android devices on the Yahoo Sports app only.
LISTEN LIVE
LOCAL ENGLISH RADIO (KOA - 850 AM/94.1 FM & The Fox - 103.5 FM)
Play-by-Play: Dave Logan
Analyst: Rick Lewis
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Follow the Broncos for live game-day updates, videos and behind-the-scenes photos:
Instagram: @Broncos
Twitter: @Broncos
Facebook: Denver Broncos
