Vikings edged by Broncos, 23-20

DENVER _ If this was an early test of their newfound identity after back-to-back wins, the Vikings made things interesting but ultimately failed with black and blue colors.tmpplchld Despite tying the game 20-20 with 10 fourth-quarter points, the Vikings defense couldn’t stop Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense from driving 55 yards in nine plays for the game-winning 39-yard field goal by Brandon McManus with 1:51 left in Sunday’s game at Mile High Stadium, losing 23-20.tmpplchld The Vikings got the ball back, but surrendered a sixth and a seventh sack of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The seventh sack was a strip sack by safety T.J. Ward and a recovery by Von Miller with 29 seconds left.tmpplchld On the winning drive, cornerback Xavier Rhodes was flagged for pass interference and running back C.J. Anderson ripped a 13-yard run up the gut to get Denver into field goal range. The Broncos entered the game as the only 3-0 team in NFL history not to rush for at least 70 yards in a game. But they ended that streak in the first half when backup running back Ronnie Hillman took a toss sweep 72 yards for a touchdown.tmpplchld Blair Walsh hooked a 38-yard field goal attempt wide left one play before Hillman’s score.tmpplchld Adrian Peterson ran for 81 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown run to get the Vikings within 20-17.tmpplchld The Vikings fell to 2-8 on the road under coach Mike Zimmer. But they’re 2-2 with a bye week to help starters Charles Johnson (rib) and Andrew Sendejo (knee) heal. Then they play the Chiefs at home before traveling to Detroit to play a Lions team they beat by 10 points in Week 2.tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 Star Tribune (Minneapolis)tmpplchld Visit the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) at www.startribune.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld