The Minnesota Vikings remain unbeaten in London, improving to 5-0 in overseas contests after a hard-fought 21-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Despite trailing for much of the contest, the Vikings found a late spark when Carson Wentz led a 10-play, 80-yard drive, capping it off with a game-winning touchdown pass to Jordan Addison.
Wentz, who injured his left shoulder in the second quarter and was listed as questionable, displayed remarkable toughness throughout the game. The former No. 2 overall pick completed 25 of 34 passes for 236 yards and the decisive touchdown, guiding Minnesota past a resilient Browns squad. Justin Jefferson was a key target, hauling in seven catches for 123 yards, while Addison, who had been benched in the first quarter for missing a walkthrough, caught five passes for 41 yards—all in the second half—including the game-winning score.
Cleveland rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel made his first NFL start, completing 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns to his tight ends, David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. While Gabriel made some routine misses and the Browns struggled on third downs (3 of 15), he ran Kevin Stefanski’s offense capably and did not commit any critical errors.
The Browns’ young core continues to impress. Through five weeks, first-year players have logged 988 snaps, the most in the NFL. Alongside Gabriel, No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham has been a starter from day one, linebacker Carson Schwesinger leads the team in tackles, Quinshon Judkins rushed for 110 yards, and undrafted wide receiver Isaiah Bond has been getting meaningful snaps. While Cleveland isn’t yet a Super Bowl contender, their rookie class provides plenty of reason for optimism.
Wentz’s performance once again raises questions about the Vikings’ quarterback situation. Now 2-1 as Minnesota’s starter in place of an injured J.J. McCarthy, Wentz demonstrated resilience after a second-quarter shoulder injury, missing only one snap before returning to lead two scoring drives, including the game-winner. His leadership and poise have made him a tough act to bench.
After being benched for missing a walkthrough, Addison made a strong statement in the second half. The rookie wideout caught five passes for 41 yards, including the decisive touchdown that sealed the Vikings’ victory. Head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Addison for handling the situation professionally and delivering when it mattered most.
Addison, who returned from a three-game suspension last week against the Steelers in Ireland, has now caught nine passes for 155 yards over his first two games back, signaling a hot start to the season.
Minnesota will enjoy a well-earned bye following two consecutive weeks overseas, while the Browns travel back to the U.S. to face Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday. Sunday’s London matchup may have ended in disappointment for Cleveland, but their young talent displayed flashes that could pay dividends in the weeks ahead.
