The Minnesota Vikings host the Denver Broncos Saturday in the 2021 preseason opener for both teams. Kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium will be at 4 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Broncos at Vikings odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Broncos and Vikings shared joint practices Wednesday and Thursday and enter their preseason opener quite familiar with one another.
Broncos QB Drew Lock, the incumbent starter from 2020, will start Saturday’s game with offseason-acquisition Teddy Bridgewater in line for the start next week, according to head coach Vic Fangio.
The Vikings won’t have rookie QB Kellen Mond available for the opener as he just returned from the COVID-19 list.
Broncos at Vikings odds, spread and lines
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 5:59 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Broncos -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Vikings +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread/ATS: Broncos -2.5 (-125) | Vikings +2.5 (+100)
- Total: 34.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Broncos at Vikings odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Broncos 20, Vikings 13
Money line
Back the BRONCOS (-145) as they enter preseason play with a true QB competition between Lock and Bridgewater. Both should be expected to see extensive playing time each week, and third-stringer Brett Rypien can also contribute later in games after making one start and three total appearances last season.
The Vikings will be without the services of their projected 2021 backup Saturday, leaving Jake Browning, Nate Stanley and Danny Etling to split work behind whatever amount of work Kirk Cousins gets in.
Against the spread
The better bet is to back the BRONCOS -2.5 (-125) to win by 3 or more points against the shorthanded Vikings.
Denver will also be trying to see what they have in second-round rookie RB Javonte Williams to help determine the backfield timeshare with veteran Melvin Gordon in the regular season. When betting preseason football, it’s safest to side with the more motivated offensive group.
Over/Under
Lean to the UNDER 34.5 (-110). It’s by far the safer play with most of the scoring production likely to fall on the right arm of Lock.
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