Denver @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2018 ) Minnesota 42, Denver 28

Dalvin Cook is nine rushing yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season and looks to add to his NFL-best total when the Minnesota Vikings host the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The third-year pro has 10 rushing touchdowns and 1,415 yards from scrimmage while blossoming into one of the NFL's top running backs.

Cook's blend of elusiveness and power surprise some defenders but the 5-foot-10, 210-pounder has stood out this season with five 100-yard outings and two other near-misses. “I just take a picture before I get the ball in my hands ... once I get it in my hands, I kind of go from there,” Cook told reporters. “There could be some runs where you have to accept that you’re going to take two or three yards and go back to the huddle. But there are some runs where you know this thing could pop out and break an 80-yard run that you can take advantage of. I try to have my mind open to the whole field.” The Broncos rank fourth in the NFL in total defense (309.7 yards per game) but just 17th against the run (107.6) as they look to slow Cook as well as attempt to record their fourth victory in the past six games. But Denver ranks 28th in scoring offense (16.6 points per game) and 27th in total offense (311.4) as quarterback Brandon Allen makes his second career start.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Vikings -10. O/U: 40

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (3-6): Allen replaced injured Joe Flacco and was 12-of-20 passing for 193 yards and two touchdowns while beating the Cleveland Browns in his first career start but coach Vic Fangio said he need to upgrade his performance. "I think he can play better than he played in the last game," Fangio told reporters of Allen. "He missed some throws that I think he can make. When you’re playing a team as good as the Vikings all around, we can’t be missing throws that he’s got to make." Defensive end Derek Wolfe leads Denver with five sacks but outside linebacker Von Miller only has four and will need a strong late-season push to reach double digits for the eighth time in his career.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (7-3): Minnesota has won five of its past six games and has tallied 28 or more points in six of its seven victories as quarterback Kirk Cousins enjoys one of the top seasons in the NFL. Cousins has passed for 2,437 yards and 18 touchdowns against three interceptions and has continued to click despite star receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) likely to sit out for the third time in four games. Defensive end Danielle Hunter has 8.5 sacks and safety Anthony Harris has three interceptions for a unit that ranks fifth in the NFL in scoring defense (18.2) and 13th in total defense (333.1).

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Broncos have won the past three meetings, the most recent being a 23-20 home win in 2015.

2. Minnesota K Dan Bailey needs one point to reach 1,000 for his career.

3. Denver claimed CB/PR Cyrus Jones off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens and waived CB Coty Sensabaugh.

PREDICTION: Vikings 30, Broncos 20