The Denver Broncos needed a late field goal to secure a 23-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings after the visitors overturned a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter this evening.
There were few points-scoring opportunities in the first quarter, but CJ Anderson got the Broncos into field goal range, leaving Brandon McManus to break the deadlock.
Ronnie Hillman took over rushing duties in the second quarter, sprinting down the side for a 72-yard touchdown with his first carry of the game, extending the hosts' lead.
Another McManus field goal left Denver with a 13-0 lead shortly before the end of the second quarter, but Blair Walsh kicked a field goal to get Minnesota off the mark.
The Vikings cut the deficit further before the interval though as Manning threw an interception, leaving Teddy Bridgewater to pick out an unmarked Mike Wallace a couple of plays later.
The Broncos worked to restore their lead early in the second half, moving 10 points clear again as tight end Owen Daniels powered over in the corner, just keeping his feet in bounds.
Minnesota started to string together a promising-looking drive at the start of the fourth quarter as they tried to close the gap again, with Bridgewater completing passes to Kyle Rudolph and Cordarrelle Patterson for a first down, but the quarterback was sacked for a loss of eight yards on the next play.
The Vikings quickly forced the Broncos back to the sidelines though, leaving Bridgewater to hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson a couple of plays later, setting the running back up for a 48-yard run to the endzone.
Manning tried to complete a pass to Thomas to restore Denver's advantage, but Harrison Smith intercepted the quarterback, handing possession straight back to the NFC North side.
Despite getting the ball back in a good position, the Vikings were unable to capitalise fully, with Peterson tackled for a loss before Bridgewater was sacked again, but Walsh was able to add a 33-yard field goal, levelling the scores with just over five minutes remaining.
Bridgewater's struggles saw Manning return to the field inside the final two minutes, leaving McManus to kick again, splitting the uprights from 33 yards out.
The Vikings did come back onto the field, but Von Miller made sure Bridgewater was not given enough time to get into a points-scoring position, ensuring that the Broncos improve to 4-0, while the Vikings slip to 2-2.
