The Colorado Springs Gazette

BRONCOS 3 TAKEAWAYS,

CHRIS TOMASSON, THE GAZETTE

The Broncos entered Sunday night’s game against Minnesota with a chance to move into sole possession of second place in the AFC West. Mission accomplished. The Broncos were dominated much of the game but defeated the Vikings 21-20 thanks to a 15-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Courtland Sutton with 1:03 remaining.

Here are three takeaways as the Broncos won their fourth straight to move to 5-5.

1. The Broncos had three takeaways, their third straight game of three or more. The takeaways resulted in just nine points on three Wil Lutz field goals. He was 5-of-5 on field goals for the game for Denver’s first 15 points. But when it counted, the Broncos drove 75 yards for the winning TD. The Broncos had five takeaways in a 24-9 win over Kansas City on Oct. 29 and four in last Monday’s 24-22 win at Buffalo.

2. QB Russell Wilson said entering the game that when the Broncos aren’t bogged down by going “backwards” their offense is “arguably one of the best in the world.” The Broncos conjured up few memories of the 1999 St. Louis Rams with a mostly sluggish performance on offense. But Wilson delivered when it counted on the last-minute drive. He completed 27 of 35 passes for 259 yards and a TD. The Broncos didn’t run the ball well, gaining just 46 yards, but they got the win.

3. Although the Broncos gave up 192 yards on the ground the win at Buffalo, they had turned their defense around lately by stopping the run. In the three games prior to the one against the Bills, they allowed just 99.8 yards rushing. But the Vikings, who came in averaging 85.7 yards per game rushing, had nearly that many in the first half with 85 and they finished with 175 yards. So there remains work to do with Denver’s run defense.

SPORTS

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2023-11-20T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-11-20T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.gazette.com/article/282183655789490

The Gazette, Colorado Springs