The Vikings have been pretty solid against the run this season, ranking seventh in yards allowed to go with just two rushing touchdowns, a mark that ranks second in the league.
They will have the test of going up against the Broncos, Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“Lindsay kind of can do it all,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Friday when comparing the two running backs. “He’s a little bit more of a scat guy, bounces. He’s got great speed and acceleration, really tough. They’re both tough, hard runners. The other guy (Royce Freeman) might be a little bit more in the tackles, but he does a nice job on screens and getting the ball to the perimeter as well. He’s a good back.”
Lindsay, who is in his second season, has 585 rushing yards to go with five touchdowns. He also has 25 receptions for 160 yards. Freeman, also in his second season, has 374 rushing yards and two touchdowns to go with 27 catches for 181 yards.
Both players are averaging more than four yards per carry.
They might not be the biggest names the Vikings have faced this season, but they are certainly dangerous, and without Linval Joseph, chances are the Vikings are plenty aware of that.