Minnesota Vikings vs. Denver Broncos odds predictions pick betting line spread

The preseason mercifully comes to an end for 2 teams with playoff aspirations when the Minnesota Vikings (0-2) go on the road to face the Denver Broncos (1-1) at 8 p.m. Saturday at Empower Field at Mile High. The game will be carried on NFL Network and in the local markets. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Vikings vs. Broncos odds, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.

The final preseason game of any season can best be viewed as a FRO game (For Relatives Only) and neither the Vikings nor Broncos have made any effort to be competitive and it has showed.

Minnesota has a veteran-heavy team, especially on defense and isn’t taking any chances under new coach Kevin O’Connell. The team is laden with big-name players with NFL pedigrees on both sides of the ball, but none of them have seen action. That won’t change this week.

Despite losing badly in both their games, the Vikings are are a half-point favorite on the road — primarily because the Broncos got gutted like a fish last week by the Buffalo Bills. But it should be noted, Josh Allen and the first-team starters played a series and the 2nd-team offense was led by Case Keenum — a starter for multiple teams. This is an overreaction that needs to be corrected.

Vikings at Broncos odds

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:27 p.m. ET.

Money line (ML): Vikings -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Broncos -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Vikings -0.5 (-115) | Broncos +0.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 36.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Vikings at Broncos picks and predictions

Prediction

Broncos 23, Vikings 13

Money line

When it comes to betting on the preseason — I fervently discourage it — you’re doing more of a deep dive on the back end of rosters than the front end. Russell Wilson‘s first game with the Broncos is going to come in Week 1. The same goes for more than a dozen Vikings starters.

While both Minnesota and Denver are legitimate playoff contenders, most of the guys you see Saturday are competing for back-end roster spots. We have seen that Minnesota’s 3rd and 4th line on the depth chart are dismal. The new front office regime inherited an aging roster. The Broncos are just the opposite. With the exception of the secondary and quarterback, Denver has a very young roster and players who aren’t locked into roles behind the starters.

I bet against the Vikings in both of their 2 preseason games to date and they lost both, including when installed as a 4.5 point favorite against a deeper 49ers team last week. Third time’s a charm to keep winning.

Take the BRONCOS (-105) and see the explanation below.

Against the spread

I’m always intrigued by a 0.5 point favorite with identical lines for straight up and the spread because it makes no sense. If you’re betting the underdog on such a pee wee spread, you have the benefit of the tie coming into play. Believe me, the last thing ANYONE wants to see is the last preseason game end in an overtime tie.

In the regular season, the prospect of a tie is always out there. They don’t happen often, but they do happen. Being gifted the hook when you think the team your picking is going to win, the hedge of having that extra half-point in the unlikely event of a tie gives you two of three potential outcomes.

Take the BRONCOS (-105).

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Over/Under

TAKE THE UNDER (-115)

Something always knit into the fabric of a final preseason game is the wish to get it over with. Keep the clock running. If both teams are capable of running the ball effectively, they will keep doing it. Passing will likely be short unless a glaring, obvious personnel weakness is shamefully exposed.

The players on the field in the 2nd half likely know their days are numbered. They’re trying to put something on tape to impress other teams. Defensive players usually give the extra effort that slows down drives.

I was tempted to put PASS on all three betting options, but that wouldn’t be right – even for a game hard-core fans will tune out of.

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