Minnesota started Sunday night’s game with a turnover, but the club battled back and entered halftime with a 10-9 lead against Denver.
Quarterback Josh Dobbs threw a 3-yard touchdown to tight end Josh Oliver, and Greg Joesph hit a 34-yard field goal to give Minnesota 10 points. Will Lutz made two 31-yard field goals and a 52-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.
Dobbs fumbled on Minnesota’s first drive, allowing the Broncos to take the lead. On third-and-one, tight end TJ Hockenson lined up under center and threw the ball to Dobbs, who carried the carry to his left. But the QB took a hard hit and lost the football, giving Denver an early lead.
The Vikings made a concerted effort to run the ball, with Alexander Mattison getting 10 carries for 50 yards. Ty Chandler gained 30 yards on six carries.
But Dobbs completed 11 of 13 for 126 yards and a touchdown.
The Vikings had some snap trouble with Dobbs and center Garrett Bradbury, with Dobbs forcing two of them to fumble. However, the quarterback was able to recover both and prevent the turnover.
The Broncos didn’t do much in the first half, but put together two scoring drives in the second quarter. Crabbs is 0-of-5 on third downs, five first downs and just 16 rushing yards. Russell Wilson completed 13 of 17 for 132 yards. Courtland Sutton led the way with two catches for 38 yards.
Denver kicks off the second half.