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The Denver Broncos led the Minnesota Vikings by a 20-0 score at halftime but failed to hold on during Sunday’s trip to U.S. Bank Stadium, losing 27-23 and blowing a chance to help the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North race.
The Vikings got three touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins and late stop in the red zone to escape what would have been a huge upset.
A Broncos had a chance to deliver an early Christmas present for the Packers. Instead, Mike Zimmer’s team now enters the bye week with an 8-3 record, setting up a terrific race in the division over the final month and a half.
The current standings:
1. Packers (8-2)
2. Vikings (8-3)
3. Bears (4-5)*
4. Lions (3-6-1)
* Play Los Angeles Rams on “Sunday Night Football”
The Packers are on a bye in Week 11 but will travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers next Sunday night. The Vikings have a bye in Week 12 but have to go to Seattle to play the Seahawks in Week 13.
The Packers and Vikings play each other on Dec. 23 in Minnesota.
Remaining schedules for the two teams:
Packers: at San Francisco 49ers, at New York Giants, vs. Washington Redskins, vs. Chicago Bears, at Minnesota Vikings, at Detroit Lions
Vikings: at Seattle Seahawks, vs. Detroit Lions, at Los Angeles Chargers, vs. Green Bay Packers, vs. Chicago Bears
The Packers play four of their final six games on the road, while the Vikings have three of their final five at home.
The Packers beat the Vikings in Week 2, providing a head-to-head tiebreaker entering the Week 16 matchup. Another aspect to keep in mind: The Packers currently have a perfect 3-0 record in the division, while the Vikings are 1-2. Matt LaFleur’s team finishes with three straight games against the NFC North.
As of the conclusion of the early games on Sunday, the NFC North and NFC West are the only two divisions in football with two teams with at least eight wins.