Vikings Heavy Underdogs vs. Browns According to Expert Predictions
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings are “only” two-points underdogs at home this Sunday versus the Cleveland Browns, according to oddsmakers.
But if you listen to the NFL body politic, the Browns chances of toppling the Vikings on the road are equivalent to the ninth most-lopsided matchup of Week 4.
Per NFLPickWatch.com, these are the only games that are surer things than Cleveland over Minnesota:
- Buffalo Bills over Houston Texans (100%)
- Tennessee Titans over New York Jets (99%)
- Kansas City Chiefs over Philadelphia Eagles (99%)
- Cincinnati Bengals over Jacksonville Jaguars (99%)
- Green Bay Packers over Pittsburgh Steelers (97%)
- Los Angeles Rams over Arizona Cardinals (93%)
- Dallas Cowboys over Carolina Panthers (84%)
- Los Angeles Chargers over Las Vegas Raiders (82%)
And then there’s the Browns over the Vikings — 75% of pundits believe Minnesota will fall at home to Baker Mayfield and Co.
Ordinarily at home, Minnesota is one of the NFL’s most formidable franchises, evidenced by happenings last week when the Vikings finally defeated the Seattle Seahawks. Before that Week 3 contest, Seattle won over Minnesota seven straight times.
Ergo, there is newfound fan enthusiasm on the Vikings outlook for the remainder of 2021. But that doesn’t translate to the masses. For now, a Vikings victory this Sunday is primarily a Minnesotan-endorsed theory.
Mike Zimmer’s team has a straightforward task to conquer in downing the Browns — play defense. The offense proved, dating back to 2019, the team is metamorphosing into an offense-first organization. Take a look at the offensive numbers through three weeks: Minnesota ranks third in the NFL for yards gained and eighth in points scored. On the other hand, the defense is 20th for points allowed and 28th in yards allowed.
The fix is simple — return the mission statement to a defensive enterprise, and the rest will fall into place. The depth chart has the faces to make it happen. In 2020, injuries ruined everything, so the sheer talent was deficient. That is not the case one year later in 2021. Zimmer has “his guys,” and there is hence no excuses. Perhaps the group is merely taking time to jell. It almost has to be the explanation because the defensive roster is laden with productive dudes.
Cleveland is no slouch. Their only loss came at the feet of the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, a game in which Patrick Mahomes did Mahomesian things. Incidentally, the Chiefs have encountered trouble replicating the feat since. In any event, the Browns are taking care of business against teams that are worthy of disposal — the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. On the flipside, Minnesota squared off versus the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks — a tale of two schedules.
The Browns feature the meanest one-two punch of running backs in the world with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Zimmer must slow those men down, or a 1-3 standing is imminent.
Notable personalities who believe in the Vikings to slay the Browns?
- Will Brinson
- Mike Clay
- FiveThirtyEight.com
- Chris Fowler
- Domonique Foxworth
- Pete Prisco
- Adam Rank
- Kevin Seifert
- Damien Woody
Tickets are available to the game and start at $50.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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