DENVER -- Kirk Cousins was perfect in his cameo, and then kicked back and watched two former Broncos quarterbacks tear apart their old teammates.
- Vikings Preseason 2020
- Minnesota Vikings Tv Schedule Preseason
- Vikings Preseason 2020 Schedule
- Preseason Vikings Vs Broncos Score
- Vikings Schedule
Cousins completed all four of his passes in the Vikings' 42-28 exhibition victory Saturday night, including a 1-yard touchdown strike on a quick slant to Stefon Diggs .
Watch Minnesota Vikings quarterback Trevor Siemian's highlights from preseason week 1. Watch Minnesota Vikings quarterback Trevor Siemian's highlights from preseason week 1. Watch the highlights of the preseason Week 4 matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. Watch the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers highlights from Super Bowl LV.
'I think it was a smooth first drive but it is a small sample size and the next couple of weeks will be a good test for us,' Cousins said.
Diggs called it a good first step.
'He's a good quarterback,' Diggs said. 'He makes some great throws.'
Case Keenum wasn't nearly as sharp in his Denver debut, completing just 1 of 4 passes for 5 yards spanning two drives.
'It's just frustrating not playing well and you don't have a chance to bounce back from it,' Keenum said.
Cousins was the crown jewel of this year's free-agent class of quarterbacks, signing an $84 million, three-year deal in Minneapolis. That meant Keenum was out two months after leading the Vikings to the NFC championship, and he signed a $36 million, two-year deal with Denver.
The Broncos then traded their starter, Trevor Siemian, to the Vikings to serve as Cousins' backup -- so long as he beats out Kyle Sloter, another former Denver QB.
That left Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly vying for No. 2 duty in Denver.
So, this preseason opener was filled with quarterback intrigue.
After Cousins' single series -- one in which he didn't have to face Von Miller -- Siemian led Minnesota on three scoring drives, most notably a screen pass to Roc Thomas that beat the blitz for a 78-yard score .
Siemian was 11 of 17 for 165 yards, two TDs and an interception against his old team.
'It was a little weird for sure, but good to see old buddies,' Siemian said.
Lynch, the former first-rounder twice beaten out by Siemian in Denver, was just 6 of 11 for 24 yards and an interception.
'Obviously I'm upset,' he said.
Despite 17 yards passing overall in the first half, the Broncos only trailed 24-14 at halftime thanks to Isaiah McKenzie's 78-yard punt return for a TD and rookie Royce Freeman's 23-yard TD scamper -- Denver's only first down before halftime.
Just when the crowd was starting to lament losing Siemian and Sloter, in came Kelly to fire up the crowd.
Kelly threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to tight end Matt LaCosse. Amid chants of 'Kelly! Kelly!' he also drove Denver 85 yards in 11 plays, capping the drive with a 19-yard strike to running back Phillip Lindsay to put the Broncos on top 28-27 with 10 minutes remaining.
Sloter, who was cut by Denver a year ago, responded by throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Chad Beebe with six minutes left to put the Vikings back on top. His strike to Jeff Badet for the 2-point conversion made it 35-28.
Safety Jack Tocho picked off Kelly at the Denver 30-yard line with 5:23 left, and Sloter sealed it with a 14-yard bootleg for the score.
Sloter was 9 of 11 for 69 yards and Kelly was 14 of 20 for 176.
Lynch might be losing in his battle to be the backup, but he insisted he's 'excited for Chad.'
'Chad's been playing really well and he deserves that,' Lynch said. 'He's a good kid.'
Broncos coach Vance Joseph wasn't quite ready to elevate Kelly to No. 2 QB, saying he had to study the film.
'Obviously, Case is the starter, so that's my main concern,' Joseph said. 'Chad has played well. He played well tonight, outside of the one interception, which led to a score for those guys. He's a guy that plays with a lot of confidence. That's a good deal.'
MCKENZIE MAGIC
Joseph's faith in McKenzie finally paid off with his punt return for a score.
'Huge for him,' said Joseph, who stuck with McKenzie last year despite a half-dozen fumbles. 'He's obviously a talent. His issue last year wasn't talent. It was more decision-making. We're helping him fix that so he can help us win games.'
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Linebacker Brandon Marshall and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas weren't with their teammates on the sideline for the national anthem. They emerged from the tunnel behind the Broncos' bench after the anthem was over.
'We didn't know about that,' Joseph said. 'But it's their right.'
INJURIES
Broncos S Jamal Carter (hamstring), CB Marcus Rios (hip) and TE Austin Traylor (right shoulder) got hurt.
NEXT UP
Vikings: Host Jaguars on Aug. 18.
Broncos: Host Bears on Aug. 18.
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Denver Broncos play host to Minnesota Vikings in this year’s preseason opener. This game will be played at the Sports Authority Field, Denver on Saturday at 9 p.m ET. Both teams last meeting was held in the same venue and where Broncos have managed a very close win 23-20. Let’s see what will happen in this season through the Vikings vs Broncos Predictions Today Preseason Week 1. Besides, check here the Broncos vs Vikings schedule, key players and know what channel is Vikings vs Broncos game on tonight.
Vikings vs Broncos Game Schedule Week 1
Vikings and Broncos both teams will get together in the 15th game of their franchise history. So far both teams have won the match equally, that’s why the Saturday night game will create more hype among the fans.
- Teams: Denver Broncos vs Minnesota Vikings
- Kickoff: 09:00 pm ET
- Date: Saturday, August 11th, 2018
- Venue:Sports Authority Field, Mile High, Denver
What Channels is the Saturday night Game on
KTVD TV brings the game in your handy in Denver and KMSP TV in Minnesota. Alongside, FOX, NBC, CBS, ESPN live game on the cable tv over the USA. So, see the Vikings vs Broncos Predictions Today Preseason Week 1 before watching this interesting game on tv or at the stadium where two players will fight against their former team.
Broncos vs Vikings Radio Streaming
KFXN 100.3 FM radio provide the live update in Minnesota and KRFX 103.5 do this in Denver.
Minnesota Vikings Key Players To Watch
Minnesota will look to keep the fire burning with their statement signing, quarterback Kirk Cousins. Snatched from Washington Redskins, Cousins has had a consistent performance over three seasons by throwing 4000 yards in each and will look forward to combining with running back Dalvin Cook.
“The goal is not just to have a great camp. The goal is to turn it into an outstanding season.” –@KirkCousins8#VikingsCamp
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 8, 2018
Head Coach Mike Zimmer has affirmed that Cook, who suffered a torn ACL in his rookie season, is up for selection and may get valuable game time against the Broncos. Vikings have further bolstered their ranks with the acquisition of tackle Sheldon Richardson in defense, and are eager to see what he can do to on the 252 points allowed by the vikes last year. Big-play receiver is also soaring and ready to go alongside Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith.
Denver Broncos Weapon Roster
Appearing for the first time in Broncos’ colors, it’s a big game for Case Keenum who will look to impress against his former team. Keenum threw a career-high 3547 yards last season but fell down the pecking order when Vikings sought the services of Cousins. Broncos who are off an awful season where they tumbled 5-11 and managed to hold only 4 opponents to 20 or less are looking make amends.
Vikings Preseason 2020
We're facing @casekeenum's former team on Saturday.
So he knows just how good of a test their defense will be.
📰 » https://t.co/BxkzhOqTPypic.twitter.com/6roBKwIRpr
Minnesota Vikings Tv Schedule Preseason
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 8, 2018
They are banking on Keenum to rectify their quarterback woes coming off a season where their QBs combined for 19 Touchdown passes and 22 interceptions. A lot has to be done to improve Broncos’s offense. They will be highly relying on quality targets: Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.
Broncos have also acquired the services of offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and will be banking on him to reset the run-pass balance that was lost in his predecessor. Von Miller, Shane Ray and Justin Simmons are other players to watch in terms of their abilities.
Vikings vs Broncos Predictions Today Preseason Week 1
Vikings Preseason 2020 Schedule
Minnesota Vikings are 5-2 ATS and OVER in their last 7 away games. Denver Broncos are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games. H2H stats indicate that both teams have won 7 each of the previous 14 meetings at Denver. Vikes are favorites in this game as they top Broncos both in quality and confidence coming into this game. My prediction is Vikings +1 and Over 35.5 Points final scores.
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