Vikings and Broncos Close the Preseason Curtain in Denver's Thin Air

Week 3 of the preseason is where dreams die and depth charts get finalized, and this Vikings-Broncos tilt in Denver is no exception. If you're expecting offensive fireworks, you haven't been paying attention. Minnesota just sleepwalked through a pair of games that barely cracked double digits—13-10 and 13-3—while Denver's home preseason debut was a 33-13 snoozefest where Bo Nix got a cup of coffee and called it a night. J.J. McCarthy's status is murky for the Vikings, which likely means more clipboard-holding than play-calling from anyone who matters.

Both coaching staffs are in full bubble-wrap mode, protecting anyone remotely important for the regular season. That means third-stringers running vanilla schemes against other third-stringers who won't be on NFL rosters in two weeks. The oddsmakers hung 38.5 on this game like it's a September grudge match, but this is August evaluation football where points go to die.

DarkHorse is riding the under 38.5 with strong confidence, and it's hard to argue. These preseason finales are glorified scrimmages, and neither team has shown any ability—or desire—to light up the scoreboard when the games don't count. Expect punts, conservative play-calling, and a whole lot of nothing.