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Vikings vs. Broncos Prediction, Picks & Best Bets: NFL Preseason Week 3 Odds for Aug. 28

Our Vikings vs. Broncos prediction breaks down why this game should be a cagey affair between two stout defenses on Friday night.

Matt MacKay

Last updated: August 28, 2026 2:08 PM EDT • 3 min read

Pictured: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks to throw a pass as he is featured in our Vikings vs. Broncos prediction. Photo by Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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My best Vikings vs. Broncos prediction will lean toward two of the NFL's stingiest defenses going head-to-head at Mile High tonight.

J.J. McCarthy is under pressure to finally play quality minutes in his final preseason start against the Broncos. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer will also take reps, with Wentz reportedly a cut above McCarthy during training camp, as the veteran has displayed the most production for the Vikings in both preseason games.

In my latest betting preview, I'll explain why you should consider taking the points on the Vikings at +3.5, while also focusing on a potential lack of offense from both units on the field tonight. The opening kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET from Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., and will air on NFL Network.

🏈 Vikings vs. Broncos prediction: NFL preseason Week 3

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season.

💰 Pick	⚖️ Units	🧠 Why I bet this
Vikings +3.5 (-110 via FanDuel)	1u → 0.90u	Carson Wentz holds an edge over Sam Ehlinger and Jarrett Stidham.
Under 37.5 (-109 via Caesars)	1u → 0.91u	Vikings defense under DC Brian Flores has held both preseason opponents to 23 combined points.

💰 Vikings vs. Broncos best bet

Under 37.5 (-109)

The Vikings have not been dynamic on offense this preseason, with J.J. McCarthy continuing to struggle and now battling a minor ankle injury. The Broncos' rushing attack was also stymied against the Packers and faces a tough assignment against Minnesota tonight.

Minnesota has only scored one touchdown in two preseason games. Denver has also looked mediocre without Bo Nix, especially against the Packers in Week 2, while the Broncos have failed to break 200 passing yards in either contest.

The Vikings will break through with a couple of touchdowns and limit the Broncos to 20 points, cashing Under 37.5 total points.

Score prediction: Broncos 20, Vikings 17

🚀 Vikings vs. Broncos same-game parlay

I'm confident in Under 37.5, which is why it's my best bet in tonight's Vikings vs. Broncos game. However, Vikings +3.5 could easily go sideways if McCarthy continues to disappoint under center.

Denver's offense will become one-dimensional against Flores' defense. The Vikings have not allowed more than 70 rushing yards in either game this preseason. Stidham had a good outing against the Falcons, but Ehlinger hasn't looked good, so without Nix involved, there's an opportunity for Wentz, Brosmer, and even McCarthy to keep this game tight.

Throwing Vikings +3.5 and Under 37.5 into a SGP for a 0.50 unit gets to +264 odds, netting 1.32 units of profit.

💵 Vikings vs. Broncos SGP picks

Vikings +3.5 (-110)
Under 37.5 (-110)

Best odds: +264 via FanDuel (0.5u → 1.32u)

💵 My betting record for NFL picks

All NFL picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since Aug. 22.

Bet type	Record	Net profit	ROI
Overall	4-2	+3.05 units ✅	+61.0% ✅
Game picks	3-3	+1.78 units ✅	+29.67% ✅
Player props	0-0	+0 units ✅	0% ✅
Parlays	1-1	+1.27 units ✅	+127% ✅

💡 How I'm betting Vikings vs. Broncos: NFL preseason strategy

Follow all of our NFL analysis and betting advice for the 2026 NFL season.

I'm not going over 1 unit on any of my three plays in tonight's Vikings vs. Broncos game. My best bet is on Under 37.5 at -109 odds.

My other 1 unit play is on the Vikings to bounce back and cover +3.5 on the road, largely due to their smothering defense. Then, I'm scaling down to a 0.50-unit wager for a +264 SGP with both of these picks, which would haul in an additional 1.32 units of profit.

All 3 bets winning will return 3.13 units of profit on 2.5 units staked.

📊 Vikings vs. Broncos odds: NFL preseason Week 3

Our live Vikings vs. Broncos odds update in real time.

🚑 Vikings vs. Broncos latest injuries

🌤️ Vikings vs. Broncos weather: Friday, 9 p.m. ET

This game will be played outdoors at Empower Field at Mile High, with the forecast calling for temperatures in the mid-80s and 10 mph wind gusts following a brief thunderstorm expected right before kickoff for Vikings vs. Broncos on Friday.

📺 How to watch Vikings vs. Broncos: NFL preseason Week 3

Date: Friday, Aug. 28
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver, Colo.)
TV: NFL Network

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Written By:
Matt MacKay

Matt MacKay has handicapped golf, the NFL, NCAAF, and NHL since joining the sports betting industry as a writer in 2020. He’s worked for several prominent sites, recently expanding his coverage to include sports betting news and the regulatory industry. Bringing a background in communications and writing, earning a Masters Degree in Organizational Communication from Ohio University, Matt has co-hosted a fantasy football and sports betting podcast, while continuously refining his handicapping methods. This includes identifying recent trends, head-to-head statistics, and comparing individual and team strengths and weaknesses to accurately predict the outcome in certain betting markets before a game or event. He’s a daily bettor and tends to wager on FanDuel, with DraftKings and Hard Rock Bet as preferred sports betting app alternatives. An avid researcher, writer, editor, and podcaster, Matt is eager to dig into matchups to offer readers and subscribers value on his picks. He’s a big proponent of building bankroll by avoiding poor betting habits and tendencies, like chasing losses, placing too many wagers, and managing bankroll. His worst beats to date both came on two separate NFL parlays, losing due to Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown dropping passes. NRFIs have quickly become one of Matt’s favorite betting markets, recently diving into MLB game props.