The Cleveland Browns returned to London for the first time since 2017, only to watch the Minnesota Vikings engineer a dramatic comeback in the final seconds for a 21-17 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel made NFL history as the first quarterback to start his first career game overseas, delivering a respectable performance that included 190 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception on 19-of-33 passing. However, the Browns defense couldn’t secure a stop when it mattered most, allowing Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz to find Jordan Addison for the go-ahead touchdown with just 25 seconds remaining.
The loss dropped Cleveland to 1-4 on the season and marked another quarterback change for a franchise that has now started 41 different signal-callers since returning to the NFL in 1999. Gabriel became the ninth quarterback to start for the Browns since 2022 and the fifth in just nine games.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski made the decision to bench veteran Joe Flacco in favor of the third-round draft pick, hoping Gabriel’s mobility could compensate for an offensive line devastated by injuries. The Browns entered the game averaging just 14 points per contest while turning the ball over eight times through the first four weeks.
Gabriel showed the quick release and pocket mobility the Browns desperately needed, though the offense continued to struggle finishing drives. Cleveland leaned heavily on rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who rushed 23 times for 110 yards and added one reception for 18 yards. The explosive back found holes throughout the afternoon and provided the ground game Cleveland had been missing.
The Browns defense, led by All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett, performed well for most of the game. Garrett and Cleveland’s front seven pressured Wentz throughout the contest, forcing the Vikings quarterback into an uneven performance that included a trip to the blue medical tent in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.
A punt-filled third quarter kept the game close heading into the final period. The Browns appeared positioned to secure their first London victory until Wentz, who had returned from his injury scare, directed the Vikings on a game-winning drive in the closing moments.
With time running out after Addison’s touchdown, Gabriel found receiver Jamari Thrash on a deep corner route with seven seconds remaining. However, Thrash couldn’t get out of bounds to stop the clock, and time expired on Cleveland’s comeback attempt.
The matchup served as a rematch of the teams’ 2017 meeting at Twickenham Stadium, when Minnesota defeated Cleveland 33-16. The Browns are now 0-2 all-time in London games, both losses coming against the Vikings.
The Browns faced significant challenges on their offensive line entering the game. Left tackle Dawand Jones was lost to a season-ending leg injury earlier in the season, while right tackle Jack Conklin missed his third consecutive game with an elbow injury. The team recently acquired veteran Cam Robinson from Houston in an attempt to shore up protection.
Despite the offensive line issues, Gabriel managed the game effectively and avoided the costly turnovers that had plagued Cleveland’s offense. The rookie showed promise in his historic debut, though the Browns will need more consistent production across the roster to climb out of their early-season hole.
Minnesota improved to 3-2 with the victory, completing a grueling 10-day international stretch that saw the Vikings become the first NFL team to play consecutive games in different countries. The Vikings defeated Pittsburgh 24-21 in Dublin on September 28 before traveling to London for Sunday’s contest.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell earned praise for navigating the challenging circumstances, getting a heroic performance from Wentz despite the quarterback’s injury concerns and the team’s depleted offensive line.
For Cleveland, the loss extends a difficult stretch. The Browns now face a quick turnaround as they travel to Pittsburgh to face the first-place Steelers (3-1) in Week 6, presenting little time to recover from the transatlantic journey or correct the issues that have plagued them through five games. The division rivalry game takes on added significance with the Browns sitting in the AFC North cellar.
Gabriel’s historic debut provided a glimpse of potential, but the Browns remain mired in the AFC North cellar with a long road ahead to salvage their season.
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