The stage is set for an improbably entertaining edition of “Sunday Night Football.”
One month ago, if you saw a Vikings vs. Broncos primetime game on the schedule, you may have elected to make other plans. Instead, we’re in for a matchup between two of the hottest teams in the NFL when Denver hosts Minnesota.
The Vikings are rolling behind newly acquired starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who has put a jolt into the entire franchise to keep Minnesota’s five-game win streak alive following Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury.
Dobbs came in for interim starting quarterback Jaren Hall just days after being traded to the Vikings and hit the ground running, throwing for 158 yards and rushing for 66 yards to tally three total touchdowns in a comeback win over the Falcons. He followed that performance with 268 passing yards, 44 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in a win over the Saints last week to bring Minnesota to a respectable 6-4 record.
The Broncos are also starting to rally around Russell Wilson, who looks to have found his groove again. After starting the season 1-5, Denver has won three games in a row and is coming off of back-to-back wins over the Chiefs and Bills — two perennial Super Bowl contenders. Wilson has thrown for 501 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions over the three wins.
MORE: Watch Vikings vs. Broncos live on Fubo (free trial)
Something has to give, as only one team can keep their win streak alive. Will the Vikings come into the Mile High City and emerge with a win? Or will the Broncos take care of business at home to keep rolling?
The Sporting News has you covered with live updates, highlights and more from all the action below.
Vikings vs. Broncos score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | |||
| Broncos | 3 | 6 |
Vikings vs. Broncos results, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
Third quarter
10:21 p.m.: FUMBLE! Alexander Mattison coughed up the football on an inside handoff and it was recovered by the Broncos. Denver takes over from its own 34 on a much-needed turnover.
Fumble! Broncos come up with another takeaway
📺: #MINvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/XjBVd5cU8l pic.twitter.com/SviuySql8s— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
10:13 p.m.: The Broncos offense is really struggling to move the ball on some of these drives tonight. It’s another three-and-out after Russell Wilson couldn’t link up with Marvin Mims Jr. on 3rd & 3. The Vikings will take over from their own 25 with 6:23 remaining in the quarter after a touchback on the punt.
Vikings 17, Broncos 9
10:06 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Joshua Dobbs scrambles for 10 yards into the end zone to give the Vikings a 17-9 lead.
WE STAN JOSH DOBBS.
📺: #MINvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/XjBVd5cU8l pic.twitter.com/R0tyWghuaa— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
10:04 p.m.: Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II was flagged for a blatant defensive pass interference call on an interception on 3rd & 13. Automatic first down for Minnesota, bringing it into the red zone.
10:01 p.m.: The Vikings are moving the chains. They’ve picked up two first downs in five plays, gaining 43 yards in the process. Alexander Mattison picked up 23 yards on the ground, and Joshua Dobbs and Jordan Addison connected on an 18-yard pass to pick up the bulk of the yardage.
9:56 p.m.: A holding penalty derailed the Broncos’ drive as they came up way short on a 3rd & 20 attempt. Minnesota will take over from its own 31 after a 19-yard punt return from Brandon Powell.
9:54 p.m.: Denver receives to start the second half and we’re back in action.
End of first half: Vikings 10, Broncos 9
9:38 p.m.: FIELD GOAL — Will Lutz from 52 yards… it’s good! The Broncos kicker steps up to bury a long field goal as the first half comes to a close. He’s responsible for all of Denver’s points as it trails 10-9.
9:35 p.m.: Russell Wilson has the Broncos’ offense moving. He’s delivered four complete passes for 46 yards, bringing Denver down to Minnesota’s 34-yard line with 11 seconds on the clock. The Broncos have one timeout remaining.
9:27 p.m.: Alexander Mattison was stuffed on a three-yard run, then Joshua Dobbs couldn’t find his RB on a swing route on 3rd down, forcing a punt. The Broncos will start their drive from their own 25 with 1:11 remaining in the half after a touchback on the punt.
9:24 p.m.: Joshua Dobbs connected on a 17-yard pass to Jordan Addison and a 10-yard pass to TJ Hockenson to bring Minnesota to its own 48 at the two-minute warning. It will be 2nd & 5 coming out of the break.
9:21 p.m.: Joshua Dobbs and center Garrett Bradbury have had a few bad exchanges when the newly acquired QB is under center. Dobbs just fumbled his second snap of the game but has recovered both of them.
Vikings 10, Broncos 6
9:18 p.m.: FIELD GOAL — Will Lutz gets another 31-yarder to go for the Broncos. Russell Wilson found Jerry Jeudy for a five-yard gain on 3rd & 7, coming just short of the line to gain. Head coach Sean Payton elected to kick the field goal instead of going for it on Minnesota’s 12-yard line.
9:14 p.m.: Russell Wilson and Cortland Sutton connect on a 33-yard pitch and catch to give the Broncos their first big play of the game! Denver is in the red zone for the first time tonight.
Russ & Sutton on the deep connection
📺: #MINvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/XjBVd5cU8l pic.twitter.com/SBMEH14bn1— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
Vikings 10, Broncos 3
9:08 p.m.: FIELD GOAL — Greg Joseph drills a 34-yarder to give the Vikings a 10-3 lead with 8:09 to play in the half. The Vikings’ offense stalled out in the red zone as Joshua Dobbs was sacked for an 11-yard loss on 3rd & Goal.
9:06 p.m.: Joshua Dobbs has some magic in him. In a cloud of smoke in the pocket, Dobbs found TE TJ Hockenson on a 29-yard gain to pick up a first down on 3rd & 2. The big play brings the Vikings into the red zone.
This is too good from Josh Dobbs.
📺: #MINvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/XjBVd5cU8l pic.twitter.com/Sj4EA3mGn6— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
9:00 p.m.: Another three-and-out for Russell Wilson and the Broncos. On 3rd & 3, Wilson was under heavy pressure and threw the ball away as he was nearly brought down for a sack. Denver punted to Minnesota’s 25, where Joshua Dobbs and the offense will take over.
Vikings 7, Broncos 3
8:56 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Joshua Dobbs, are you kidding me?! Dobbs scrambled out right and looked like he had nowhere to go. The QB shed a tackle on the sidelines and regained his composure, finding TE Josh Oliver wide open in the end zone for a touchdown after the play broke down.
Josh Dobbs is used to working in space 🚀
📺: #MINvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/XjBVd5cU8l pic.twitter.com/SSFEo1xS1T— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
End of first quarter: Broncos 3, Vikings 0
8:53 p.m.: The Vikings’ run game is marching the offense down the field. Spell RB Ty Chandler has collected 29 total yards on this drive while starting RB Alexander Mattison has picked up 27 yards. Minnesota is down to Denver’s 4-yard line as the first quarter comes to a close.
8:44 p.m.: The Vikings’ defense responds with a stop of their own. A quick three-and-out for Russell Wilson and the Broncos. Minnesota will take over from its own 35 after a 12-yard punt return from Brandon Powell. Broncos lead 3-0 with 5:01 to play in the first quarter.
8:38 p.m.: Joshua Dobbs had the Vikings’ offense moving but the Broncos’ defense came up with a big stop on 3rd & 8. Minnesota had picked up 28 yards in six plays but Dobbs was nearly picked off on third down, forcing a punt. Denver will take over from its own 25-yard line after a touchback.
8:32 p.m.: Joshua Dobbs was evaluated in the medical tent after taking a big hit on the last drive, but he did not miss a snap at QB for the Vikings.
Broncos 3, Vikings 0
8:30 p.m.: FIELD GOAL — Will Lutz buries a 31-yarder to get the Broncos on the board. The Vikings’ defense held strong after the turnover. LB Danielle Hunter came up with a timely sack to force a 3rd & 15 and the Broncos couldn’t convert.
8:26 p.m.: FUMBLE! Vikings QB Joshua Dobbs attempted to pick up a first down on 3rd & 1 and he was absolutely popped by SS Kareem Jackson. LB Baron Browning pried the ball loose as Dobbs was hit and the Broncos recovered the fumble, taking over at Minnesota’s 30.
The @Broncos defense continues its hot streak!
📺: #MINvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/XjBVd5cU8l pic.twitter.com/nfbr2iFofr— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
8:24 p.m.: The Vikings received to start the game and after a touchback on the opening kick, we are underway!
Pregame
8:21 p.m.: Broncos legend Peyton Manning shows some love to Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson ahead of the game. Jefferson remains out due to a hamstring injury.
Imagine this duo 👀 @JJettas2
📺: #MINvsDEN 8:20pm ET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/89POjTBKEy— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
7:04 p.m.: Vikings starting RB Alexander Mattison is active for “Sunday Night Football,” after going through concussion protocol this week.
Vikings’ RB Alexander Mattison officially active tonight vs. Broncos.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2023
What channel is Vikings vs. Broncos on today?
Vikings vs. Broncos will air on NBC nationally. Viewers can also stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial, in the U.S. and DAZN, which carries NFL Game Pass, in Canada.
Mike Tirico (play-by-play announcer), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Melissa Stark (reporter) will be on the call for NBC.
