Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2011 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-12-04, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 35–32 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -4.72 total EPA, and -0.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Thomas (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.18 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-40.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (1:33) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass short left intended for 12-P.Harvin INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Goodman at MIN 35. 21-A.Goodman ran ob at MIN 15 for 20 yards.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 D. Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +10.18 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Harvin · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +9.40 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Tebow · Denver Broncos · Passing · +5.81 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
4. 4 S. Burton · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.56 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.56 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Webb · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +2.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.11 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Willis · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.30 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Ball · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.18 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Denver Broncos — M. Haggan (Q1 50:50)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Rudolph (C. Ponder pass) (Q2 33:40)
• Denver Broncos — D. Thomas (T. Tebow pass) (Q3 26:24)
• Minnesota Vikings — P. Harvin (C. Ponder pass) (Q3 18:22)
• Denver Broncos — D. Thomas (T. Tebow pass) (Q3 18:03)
• Minnesota Vikings — P. Harvin (C. Ponder pass) (Q4 9:53)
• Denver Broncos — W. McGahee (Q4 9:01)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell (Q1 46:29)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell (Q2 30:03)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell (Q4 3:10)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q4 1:38)
• Denver Broncos — unlisted player (Q4 0:02)
• Denver Broncos — M. Prater (Q4 0:02)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–5. Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the MIN 99 (Q1 57:44) — (12:44) 23-W.McGahee up the middle tackled in End Zone for -1 yards, SAFETY (69-J.Allen).; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 91 (Q1 50:50) — (5:50) 7-C.Ponder pass short right intended for 19-D.Aromashodu INTERCEPTED by 57-M.Haggan at MIN 16. 57-M.Haggan for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 50:42) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DEN 22 (Q1 46:29) — (1:29) 8-R.Longwell 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DEN 19 (Q2 33:40); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 33:33) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DEN 6 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 8-R.Longwell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the MIN 21 (Q3 26:24) — (11:24) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 26:18) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DEN 52 (Q3 18:22) — (3:22) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass short left to 12-P.Harvin for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 18:12) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the MIN 41 (Q3 18:03) — (3:03) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass short left to 88-D.Thomas for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 17:48) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 17–10. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DEN 48 (Q4 9:53) — (9:53) 7-C.Ponder pass short middle to 12-P.Harvin for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 9:41) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the MIN 24 (Q4 9:01) — (9:01) 23-W.McGahee right guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q4 8:52) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 15-T.Tebow rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DEN 21 (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) 8-R.Longwell 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the MIN 28 (Q4 1:38) — (1:38) 5-M.Prater 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal (Q4 0:02) — Timeout #2 by DEN at 00:02.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the MIN 5 (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass short left intended for 12-P.Harvin INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Goodman at MIN 35. 21-A.Goodman ran ob at MIN 15 for 20 yards. [WPA -40.6% · EPA -5.43]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 50:50) — (5:50) 7-C.Ponder pass short right intended for 19-D.Aromashodu INTERCEPTED by 57-M.Haggan at MIN 16. 57-M.Haggan for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -24.6% · EPA -6.84]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 2:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep right to 88-D.Thomas to MIN 28 for 40 yards (33-J.Sanford). [WPA +19.6% · EPA +2.16]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 53:16) — (8:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder sacked at DEN 15 for -7 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by DEN-90-J.Hunter at DEN 32. 90-J.Hunter to 50 for 18 yards (71-P.Loadholt). [WPA -19.5% · EPA -6.48]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. [WPA +18.5% · EPA +0.07]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 50:50) — (5:50) 7-C.Ponder pass short right intended for 19-D.Aromashodu INTERCEPTED by 57-M.Haggan at MIN 16. 57-M.Haggan for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -24.6% · EPA -6.84]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 53:16) — (8:16) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder sacked at DEN 15 for -7 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by DEN-90-J.Hunter at DEN 32. 90-J.Hunter to 50 for 18 yards (71-P.Loadholt). [WPA -19.5% · EPA -6.48]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:22) — (3:22) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass short left to 12-P.Harvin for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.0% · EPA +5.50]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass short left intended for 12-P.Harvin INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Goodman at MIN 35. 21-A.Goodman ran ob at MIN 15 for 20 yards. [WPA -40.6% · EPA -5.43]

Quarterback report card

C.Ponder led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) · 55 dropbacks · 52.7% completion · -0.3% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -4.72 total EPA
• T.Tebow (Denver Broncos) · 20 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +10.2% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +5.81 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Denver Broncos: 15 drives, +3.62 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 16 drives, -3.98 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• D. Thomas (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Tebow (DEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q1 57:44 · MIN 99 · Score 0-2
   (12:44) 23-W.McGahee up the middle tackled in End Zone for -1 yards, SAFETY (69-J.Allen).
2. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 50:50 · DEN 91 · Score 6-2
   (5:50) 7-C.Ponder pass short right intended for 19-D.Aromashodu INTERCEPTED by 57-M.Haggan at MIN 16. 57-M.Haggan for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 50:42 · MIN 2 · Score 7-2
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
4. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 46:29 · DEN 22 · Score 7-5
   (1:29) 8-R.Longwell 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.
5. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 33:40 · DEN 19 · Score 7-11
   (3:40) 7-C.Ponder pass deep right to 82-K.Rudolph for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DEN-28-Q.Carter, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. The Replay Assista
6. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 33:33 · DEN 2 · Score 7-12
   8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.
7. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · DEN 6 · Score 7-15
   (:03) 8-R.Longwell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.
8. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 26:24 · MIN 21 · Score 13-15
   (11:24) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 26:18 · MIN 2 · Score 14-15
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
10. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 18:22 · DEN 52 · Score 14-21
    (3:22) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder pass short left to 12-P.Harvin for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 18:12 · DEN 2 · Score 14-22
    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.
12. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 18:03 · MIN 41 · Score 20-22
    (3:03) (Shotgun) 15-T.Tebow pass short left to 88-D.Thomas for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 17:48 · MIN 2 · Score 21-22
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
14. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 9:53 · DEN 48 · Score 21-28
    (9:53) 7-C.Ponder pass short middle to 12-P.Harvin for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 9:41 · DEN 2 · Score 21-29
    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.
16. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 9:01 · MIN 24 · Score 27-29
    (9:01) 23-W.McGahee right guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Denver Broncos Safety (+2) — Q4 8:52 · MIN 2 · Score 29-29
    (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 15-T.Tebow rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
18. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 3:10 · DEN 21 · Score 29-32
    (3:10) 8-R.Longwell 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.
19. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 1:38 · MIN 28 · Score 32-32
    (1:38) 5-M.Prater 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
20. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · Score 32-32
    Timeout #2 by DEN at 00:02.
21. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · MIN 5 · Score 35-32
    (:02) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.