An 88-yard strike and 3 TDs: Sam Ehlinger’s big night for the Broncos in 34-6 rout of Vikings

Ehlinger also directed a smooth two-minute drill that ended with a 20-yard TD toss to Jaleel McLaugilin just before halftime and connected with running back Cody Schrader on a 14-yard TD strike after relieving Jarrett Stidham, who led Denver to scores on his two drives.

Neither team played its starting quarterback and Minnesota (1-2) didn't even play backup J.J. McCarthy, who was beaten out by Kyler Murray in training camp and sustained a minor ankle injury last week against Baltimore.

With Bo Nix looking sharp against Green Bay a week earlier in his only preseason game action, the Broncos split snaps between Stidham and Ehlinger.