Vikings Limp Into Regular Season After 34-6 Preseason Beatdown in Denver

The Vikings sleepwalked through their preseason finale in Denver, getting throttled 34-6 in a performance that raised more questions than it answered heading into the regular season. Minnesota's offense was utterly lifeless, managing just two field goals while Denver's backups feasted on what looked like a JV secondary.

Here's the kicker: DarkHorse called the under 38.5, banking on typical preseason conservatism and third-string sloppiness. Instead, we got 40 combined points and a missed pick. The Broncos clearly didn't get the "let's play it safe" memo, piling up 34 points with their depth chart while Minnesota's offense couldn't find the end zone with a GPS and a sherpa guide.

The logic was sound—preseason finales are usually snoozefests where teams wrap starters in bubble wrap and let camp bodies audition. But Denver came out firing, exploiting a Vikings defense that appeared ready for the golf course, not game planning. Minnesota's inability to score a single touchdown was predictable; Denver dropping 34 wasn't.

Credit where it's due: the under reasoning held for Minnesota's side. They delivered exactly the lifeless offensive showing we expected. Denver just refused to cooperate, turning what should've been a sleepy dress rehearsal into target practice. Sometimes the right read still loses to the wrong script.