- Kickoff: 8:30 a.m. Sunday
- Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
- TV: NFL Network, Fox 9
- Radio: KFAN 100.3-FM; SiriusXM 380, 820 (Vikings), 227, 807 (Browns), 88 (Westwood One)
- Line: Vikings by 3½
After their 24-21 loss to Pittsburgh sent them out of Ireland with their first international defeat, the Vikings head to their now-familiar confines of London with hopes of salvaging a split in their two-game European trip. To get one, they will face one of the NFL’s best front sevens while their defense gets rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel in his first NFL start.
Here’s a look at Sunday’s game between the Vikings and Browns:
The biggest story line
Matchup of stout defenses and backup QBs in London: The Browns named Gabriel their starter this week after Joe Flacco completed 16 of his 34 passes for 184 yards and two interceptions in a loss to the Lions. Gabriel makes his first start against a defense that has gone 5-0 against rookie QBs since Brian Flores came to Minnesota. The Vikings, meanwhile, are coming off their second game this year in which they gave up six sacks, and have a patchwork offensive line trying to protect Carson Wentz against four-time All-Pro Myles Garrett and a Browns front that includes first-round pick Mason Graham.
Listen to the latest episode of the Access Vikings podcast:
Vikings offense vs. Browns defense
Handling Garrett is first concern: Garrett, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, has posted double-digit sacks in seven consecutive seasons, has totaled at least 14 each year since 2021 and has four in as many games this year. There are few better than the 2023 NFL defensive player of the year, and the changes across the rest of the Vikings’ line likely mean Christian Darrisaw will get plenty of “weighty downs,” as Kevin O’Connell calls them, where he’ll be expected to handle Garrett without much extra help. It’ll be a fascinating matchup between two of the league’s best, and it could help determine the outcome of the game.
Browns LBs a challenge: Behind their four-down front that includes Garrett, Graham and defensive tackle Maliek Collins, the Browns have two linebackers (Devin Bush and Carson Schwesinger) who’ll stay on the field in passing situations and have thrived there. Bush, the Browns’ first-round pick out of Michigan in 2019, has three pass breakups this year, while Schwesinger has looked capable in coverage through his first four games. The Vikings will have to be aware of both linebackers when Wentz throws over the middle. The Vikings did activate C.J. Ham from injured reserve Saturday, meaning the fullback could be available for additional blocking help.
Vikings defense vs. Browns offense
Van Ginkel’s absence means Vikings lose some flexibility vs. Gabriel: The Vikings will have plenty of pressure packages for Gabriel in the quarterback’s first NFL start, but they will again play without outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who will miss his third game this year and be out on Sunday because of a neck injury. Van Ginkel has had two sacks in the eight snaps he has played this year, and his ability to rush or drop into coverage from multiple spots adds a layer of deception to the Vikings’ pressure packages. The Vikings will still have plenty for Gabriel to solve, but they have missed Van Ginkel’s presence.
Browns will lean on Judkins: Despite missing all of training camp and the three exhibition games, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has carried 39 times in Cleveland’s past two games and figures to be a significant part of the offense as the Browns look to help Gabriel. The 221-pound back gives Cleveland a powerful presence against a Vikings run front that gave up 131 yards to the Steelers last week.
