Vikings obliterated by Broncos in preseason finale

At long last, the preseason schedule is complete for the Minnesota Vikings following a 34-6 loss to the Denver Broncos on Friday night. The Vikings finished the preseason 1-2, scoring one touchdown in 12 quarters of football that was mostly played by backups.

With J.J. McCarthy reportedly not comfortable enough to play with an ankle injury, Carson Wentz got the start on Friday night, likely cementing himself as QB2 behind Kyler Murray when the regular season begins Sept. 13 against the Green Bay Packers.

Wentz was 3-of-4 passing for 15 yards in eight total plays over two unproductive drives. He also fumbled once. Max Brosmer played most of the game, completing 20-of-35 passes for 165 yards.

The second-year quarterback from the University of Minnesota overthrew a wide-open Dillon Bell in the end zone late in the second quarter. Had he thrown accurately to Bell, the Vikings would’ve trailed 13-10. Instead, the drive ended with Will Reichard’s second field goal and a 13-6 deficit.

Brosmer still has a chance to make the 53-man roster, but probably only if the Vikings trade McCarthy. If the Vikings keep Kyler Murray, Wentz, and McCarthy, Brosmer could still land a role on the practice squad.

Brosmer’s favorite targets were tight ends Gavin Bartholomew and Marshall Lang, along with wide receiver Dontae Fleming.

Fleming caught four passes for a team-best 55 yards. Bartholomew finished with five receptions and 28 yards, and Lang caught five balls for 51 yards. Lang also lost a fumble with 1:46 left in the game after taking a big hit that left him slow to get up.

On the ground, rookie Demond Clairborne had eight carries for 21 yards as the starter. Jermar Jefferson led the Vikings with 59 yards on six carries.

Denver got a great night from third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who completed 15-of-20 passes for 233 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The play of the night was Ehlinger’s 88-yard touchdown pass to Justin Joly, who was as wide open as anyone has ever been in the history of football.