DENVER — Head coach Kevin O'Connell wanted to see the best of the bottom of the Vikings roster, but they were unable to avoid the catastrophic plays during Saturday night's 23-13 preseason finale loss to the Broncos.
Quarterback Sean Mannion started and played the first half, leading the Vikings into Broncos territory on three of five drives. But inside the two-minute warning before halftime, Mannion felt quick pressure and the ball ripped out of his hands by Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning, who returned it 17 yards for the touchdown to put the Vikings in a 17-7 hole.