Denver Broncos

Five most important Bronocs players versus the Vikings

Published Sep. 30, 2015 9:58 a.m. ET

foxsports

By Clint Daly

The Denver Broncos are now 3-0 after beating the Detroit Lions on the road and on Sunday they return to the friendly confines of Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings are 2-1 and have won two games in a row. On Sunday, Minnesota dominated the San Diego Chargers 31-14 and head into their matchup in Denver feeling confident.

So who are the key players for the Broncos on Sunday? Who are the Broncos that will be the difference between staying undefeated and losing a valuable game at home?

Here are the five most important Denver players on Sunday versus the Vikings.

1. Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall

The Vikings seem to go as their All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson goes. In Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers Peterson got just 10 carries and finished with 31 yards as the Vikings fell 20-3. Since then there has been a concerted effort to feed the big running back. In Week 2 against the Detroit Lions Peterson carried the ball 29 times for 134 yards and the Vikings rolled to a 10 point victory. And last week versus San Diego he picked up 126 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

The Broncos will try to push Peterson inside to their linebackers Trevathan and Marshall who have been very good against the run this season. Whether or not they make the plays may be the difference in the game.

2. Peyton Manning

It has been a struggle so far but it seems that every week the Broncos offense starts to resemble a functional unit a little more. Manning’s statistics and quarterback rating keep rising each week and hopefully this week continues the trend. The Vikings pass defense is very middle of the pack allowing 243 yards per game and they have allowed opponents to convert on 45 percent of their third downs. If Peyton Manning can get the Broncos offense to convert third downs they will be much tougher to beat.

3. Aqib Talib

Aqib Talib may be the Broncos most valuable players so far in 2015. He has broken up five passes, has two interceptions, a touchdown, and has even blocked an extra point. This week he will have his hands full again with Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace. So far, Wallace has 12 catches for 150 yards and is averaging 12.5 yards every time he makes a catch. The Vikings don’t have many downfield threats. If Talib can take Wallace out of his game, they lose some major big play potential.

4. Evan Mathis

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen may lead the team in sacks with three, but even he credits nose tackle Linval Joseph with the success of the Minnesota defense. Joseph is a 6’4” 330 pound run-stuffer. In their past two games the Vikings defense is allowing just 64 yards rushing per game.

It will be up to the Broncos newly acquired left guard Evan Mathis to win the battle against Joseph up front. We all know that the Denver offensive line has struggled to open up running lanes and consistently provide an adequate pocket for Peyton Manning. Evan Mathis has a chance to get the Broncos offense established in the trenches.

5. CJ Anderson

We keep waiting for the Broncos running game to get on track, maybe this will finally be the week. If Evan Mathis can give the Broncos a push up front CJ Anderson could finally show why he is the starter.

It has been a tough ride for Anderson so far in 2015. He has been fighting a sprained toe that has definitely impacted his explosion and ability to slip through a hole. Currently Anderson has gained just 74 yards on 32 carries through the first three games and he doesn’t have a single touchdown. Maybe he can find a way into the end zone this week.

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