Cleveland Browns pose bigger threat to Minnesota Vikings in London than you might think

It's going to be a really interesting matchup when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Cleveland Browns in London, England.

This is a very interesting game for a multitude of reasons, mainly due to the mounting number of injuries the Vikings have suffered this season. Not only are they continuing to start quarterback Carson Wentz, the offensive line is likely down three starters, and they could have a third-string center starting on Sunday in Blake Brandel, who was the starter at left guard on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even so, the Vikings have the number one defense in EPA/play going into the game, and the Browns are giving rookie third-round pick quarterback Dillon Gabriel his first start. That could end up being a disaster for the Browns' offense, but will it matter? I spoke to our Browns beat writer at A to Z Sports Brandon Little, about what the Vikings should expect when the teams clash in London.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns preview

Why are the Browns starting Dillon Gabriel for the first time against Brian Flores?

Cleveland is averaging just 14 points a game through their first four games and that simply wasn’t good enough and ranked 31st in the NFL. The Browns’ offensive issues haven’t been fair to what is an elite defense and Joe Flacco was a big issue in the offense. Flacco was unable to find his 2023 success that he had in Cleveland and the Browns were forced to bench him probably a little earlier than they wanted to. Now, the third-round pick from back in April will get his chance. 

Gabriel is a rather quick processor and is a rather accurate quarterback in the short to intermediate game. With the state of how bad the offensive line has been, the Browns will want to run the ball well and get it out quickly. Gabriel going up against a Brian Flores-coached defense wasn’t the plan surely, but it’s the card Cleveland is dealt with how the season has started for them. 

The Vikings have done a great job pressuring the quarterback with four or five. Can the Browns stop their front?

Cleveland went into the season hoping Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin could be their tackles for the season. Conklin has played in just one game, and Dawand Jones is out for the season on the injured reserve. The Browns have been starting backup tackles KT Leveston and Cornelius Lucas. That duo hasn’t been able to hold up, and it looks like the Browns are going to roll with Cam Robinson as their left tackle after trading for him. The Browns may get Conklin back against the Vikings, and that’s their starters at tackle in an ideal world for the rest of the season. 

With that being said, Sunday may be too soon for Robinson to be out there, and if he is, it wouldn’t be fair to expect him to be above average with a brand new group. Gabriel being a more mobile quarterback is one reason they had to go to Jim’s me that should help some, but I’d be surprised if the Vikings didn’t win up front defensively on Sunday. 

The defensive line for the Browns is one of the best in the league. Is there any secret sauce in “stopping them?”

Cleveland’s defensive front is the identity of the team and the bread and butter of what Jim Schwartz wants to do defensively. Cleveland made upgrades on the interior of the defensive line, and the play of Maliek Collins and Mason Graham has improved the group as a whole. Isaiah McGuire is the most complete defensive end in terms of value against the run and pass that Myles Garrett has had opposite him, and Alex Wright rotating in works well.