The Exact Blueprint for a Vikings Win over the Browns
A team led by a rookie quarterback is the only thing standing in the way of the Minnesota Vikings achieving a winning record entering the Week 6 bye. Here’s how Minnesota can find a dub.
Believe it or not, the Minnesota Vikings can somewhat easily handle the Cleveland Browns — if they follow this straightforward method in Week 5.
Led by Dillon Gabriel, the Cleveland Browns will look to wholly spoil the Vikings’ back-to-back adventure in Europe, after Minnesota lost to the Browns’ foremost rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Dublin last weekend.
This is the blueprint for Minnesota to topple Cleveland.
A Winning Formula for Vikings over Browns
It can really be this simple for Kevin O’Connell and Co.
1. Stop the Run. Stop the Run. Stop the Run.
So far in 2025, the Vikings have been carved up by two running backs: Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons and Kenneth Gainwell — yes, him — from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Take a wild guess which two games Minnesota lost. The two against Robinson and Gainwell.
First-time starter Dillon Gabriel leads the Browns into Week 5, and he’s virtually guaranteed not to set the world on fire in his maiden voyage. Therefore, Minnesota must stuff the run, a three-headed monster of Quinshon Judkins (also a rookie), Jerome Ford, and Dylan Sampson (yet another rookie).
One might argue that this is all Minnesota must do to win: keep Cleveland to 70 rushing yards or fewer and escape with a dub.
ClevelandBrowns.com‘s Noah Monroe on Judkins against Minnesota’s defense: “In the three games he has played so far in his NFL career, RB Quinshon Judkins has proven he can make explosive plays happen when given the chance. Judkins has five runs of 10-plus yards with two of the runs going for more than 30 yards, including a 38-yard run that helped set up the Browns comeback against Green Bay.”
“On his other 30-plus-yard run, he made four Ravens defenders miss in Week 2 in his NFL debut, showcasing his shiftiness. The Vikings’ defense has allowed 130 rushing yards per game, the ninth-most in the NFL this season, leaving Judkins an opportunity to capitalize on Minnesota’s struggles to stop the run. He can add more big plays to his resume this season if he can get into the second level against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ attacking defense.”
2. Convert 3rd Downs on Offense at a Decent Clip
Minnesota is converting 30.6% of its 3rd Downs. That’s loathsome. It ranks third-worst in the NFL. The Vikings will make no serious playoff push whatsoever if the 3rd Down efficiency does not improve.
Kevin O’Connell’s team doesn’t even remotely entertain converting 3rd and Long situations. Maybe hitting on one of two of those would be nice.
The Browns’ defense is no joke, but Carson Wentz and his offensive pals must convert 3rd Downs on Sunday at a clip of 50% or better. This 30% or lower garbage is the sign of a terrible team.
3. Dictate the Tempo
The Vikings need “one of those games” where they score first — and then just never look back. It’s not that the Browns have a high-octane offense, and Minnesota must score points to keep them at bay.
It’s that Cleveland does not have a high-octane offense, and if Minnesota hops out to a one-score or two-score lead, that may be curtains.
Remember, during the Mike Zimmer era, when Minnesota would frequently get up 17-0 or 17-3 and just kind of sit on the game the rest of the way. That’s what the Vikings should do on Sunday in London, finding a way to lead from cover to cover.
BrownsNation‘s Yagya Bhargava on Dillon Gabriel under center: “Veteran Joe Flacco has been benched, with rookie Dillon Gabriel earning his first NFL start against the Minnesota Vikings in London. Gabriel’s promotion has generated conversation beyond his on-field performance, with his height becoming a focal point among analysts and fans. Cleveland’s coaching staff sees steady qualities in Gabriel that have resonated throughout the locker room.”
“His calm presence and natural confidence have impressed teammates since his arrival. Gabriel wasted little time making an impact during the preseason. He engineered five scoring drives across seven possessions in two appearances. That momentum carried into the regular season, where he led a touchdown drive in his debut against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns hope Gabriel’s composure and early production translate into sustained offensive improvement as they navigate a challenging stretch of their schedule.”
Dictate the tempo by scoring first, and then terrorize Gabriel in his first-ever start.
You must be logged in to post a comment.