| Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns | |||
| Game Details: Sunday, October 5, 6:30 a.m. EST | |||
| Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | |||
| Where to Watch: NFL Network |
Week 5 Matchup
The Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns will clash at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday morning in what promises to be a gritty, low-scoring affair that could hinge on which team makes fewer mistakes. Both clubs are nursing wounds from disappointing Week 4 performances – the Vikings fell flat against Pittsburgh in Dublin while the Browns were mauled by Detroit 34-20 at home.
Cleveland, sits at 1-3 and desperately needs a victory to salvage the season. For Minnesota at 2-2, this represents a chance to bounce back from their Irish disappointment and establish momentum before returning stateside.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | -3.5 | -188 | Over 35.5 |
| Cleveland Browns | +3.5 | +156 | Under 35.5 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Minnesota Vikings | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Cleveland Browns |
|---|---|---|
| 25.5 | Points Per Game | 14 |
| 184.8 | Passing Yards Per Game | 195 |
| 109.3 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 84.8 |
| 20 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 25.5 |
| 151.5 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 152.3 |
| 130.3 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 70.3 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN
Key Details
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings enter this London clash carrying the weight of expectations and the sting of their 27-24 loss to Pittsburgh in Dublin. Carson Wentz, making his third consecutive start in place of injured rookie J.J. McCarthy, has shown flashes of brilliance mixed with concerning vulnerability. Since taking over the offense, Wentz has completed 66.7 percent of his passes. helping the Vikings average 27.5 points and 362 yards per game – the sixth-best mark in the league since Week 3.
However, Minnesota’s biggest concern remains protecting their quarterback. The Vikings have surrendered an NFL-high 18 sacks through four games, a troubling trend that became painfully evident when Pittsburgh dropped Wentz six times in Dublin.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell downplayed the international setting, focusing instead on football fundamentals: “By the time the ball gets kicked off, it’s just football. No matter where you play it. I know our guys would play in the parking lot if they would let them, so very much looking forward to it.”
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are making NFL history with rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who will become the first player ever to make his debut start in an international game. Gabriel, Cleveland’s third-round pick and the team’s 41st starting quarterback since 1999, inherits an offense that ranks a dismal 31st in scoring at just 14 points per game. The pressure is immense, but Gabriel won’t be alone in carrying the load.
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has been a rare bright spot, accumulating 281 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in three games. He’s responsible for 69.9 percent of Cleveland’s rushing yards – third-most in the NFL – while averaging an impressive 4.18 yards after contact. His physical running style could be exactly what Cleveland needs to control the game’s tempo and take pressure off their rookie quarterback.
Prediction
This is Week 3 of Carson Wentz. Which Carson will show up this week? If we knew, he would be a starter for one team and not on his sixth start for his sixth team in the last six years. Maybe that will not matter in this game, as the Browns go to one of their two rookies. This bet is going for Wentz. Perhaps the lesser of the two evils.
