Week 5 Vs. Browns

[CharVike]

This is the 3rd game for the Browns against NFC North teams. They are 1-1 beating the Packers 13-10 and getting hammered by the Lions 34-10. They will start a rookie at QB because scoring has been difficult all year. They have shown the ability to run the ball at times with Judkins. Their strength running the ball should work to some extent against us and I expect them to try and shorten the game. They do have a very good defense but it also depends on who they play. The Ravens and Lions had no problem putting plenty of points on the board. The bottom line is they can't stop the top end offenses and perform well against weak offenses. Big deal. What they can do is stop the run and with our banged up OL I don't think we can run on them which presents a big problem for our passing game. Wentz took a beating last week and he will get another this week. We might see Bosmer before it ends. Goff didn't get sacked but he said the pressure was great. I have no idea how this will turn out or what the score will be. It could be 34-27 or 6-3. I see it 13-12 us.

[Cliff]

This is the 3rd game for the Browns against NFC North teams. They are 1-1 beating the Packers 13-10 and getting hammered by the Lions 34-10. They will start a rookie at QB because scoring has been difficult all year. They have shown the ability to run the ball at times with Judkins. Their strength running the ball should work to some extent against us and I expect them to try and shorten the game. They do have a very good defense but it also depends on who they play. The Ravens and Lions had no problem putting plenty of points on the board. The bottom line is they can't stop the top end offenses and perform well against weak offenses. Big deal. What they can do is stop the run and with our banged up OL I don't think we can run on them which presents a big problem for our passing game. Wentz took a beating last week and he will get another this week. We might see Bosmer before it ends. Goff didn't get sacked but he said the pressure was great. I have no idea how this will turn out or what the score will be. It could be 34-27 or 6-3. I see it 13-12 us.

Flores's scheme usually trips up younger inexperienced QBs pretty good. I think the defense will have a pretty good day. The offense is going to depend on the offensive line. O'Neill will be out, If Ryan Kelly is out it's going to be really rough. It'll likely mean we're at 3rd string center and 3rd string left guard because the 2nd string guard would move over to center. Like you mentioned Goff didn't get sacked but he also gets rid of the ball really quickly. Pressures on him likely mean sacks on Wentz.

I think it'll end up being a low scoring game too unless the defenses score points. The Vikings have the weapons on offense but they don't really have the proper time to use them. It could really end up being a snooze-fest.

[VikingLord]

I expect the Browns will go run-heavy with RPO options for their rookie QB when they do decide to pass. The Vikings have struggled to defend the run even against mediocre rushing attacks so that would be the logical approach for their offense to take. When they do pass I expect it will be short routes and quick hitters that take advantage of soft zone coverage. While I don't expect the Browns offense to put up a lot of points I wouldn't be surprised at all if they are able to string together some first downs and keep the pressure on.

If there is a team with a defense that is tailor-made to shut down the Vikings offense I think the Browns have that defense. They can get a lot of pressure rushing four and while they aren't great in the secondary they are good enough to take advantage of QBs who don't handle that pressure well. In some ways they are similar to the Steelers but stronger up front. Even if the Vikings had all five of their starting offensive linemen on the field I think they would struggle to move the ball on this defense. I expect the run game to be completely ineffective, and the Vikings offense overall to really struggle to stay on the field yet again.

This looks like it will be a very low-scoring game with the X factor being the Brown's rookie QB. If he turns out to be effective the Browns may end up with a comfortable win. I don't think that is likely but we've watched the Vikings make backup and rookie QBs look like the next coming of Tom Brady many times before.

[ERIK the PURPLE]

Watching the Thursday night game and marveling how efficient Mac Jones is getting the plays off at the line of scrimmage. Unlike watching Wentz (or any Viking QB for that matter) getting the play from KOC and taking 10 seconds to read it off his wrist. Unbelievable contrast!

[CharVike]

Mike Florio picks us 20-10. He feels being in Europe an extra week will be a benefit and he also sees a bounce back. He feels the good finish will carry over. I felt the good finish against the Bears would carry over and it didn't. What gives him a hesitation is our OL and the Browns DL matchup. No secret there because it gives everyone the same feeling. If we allow free runners into the QB which the Lions didn't then all bets are off. Quick throws seems to be an answer but then you have DBs/LBers looking to jump the route or drop under. If the deeper throw is out coverage becomes easier based on the length of territory to cover. He mentioned Wentz will take some chances which could lead to turnovers. Simms wants nothing to do with this game because he's stuck on the LOS match up which he feels we will lose.

[CharVike]

Watching the Thursday night game and marveling how efficient Mac Jones is getting the plays off at the line of scrimmage. Unlike watching Wentz (or any Viking QB for that matter) getting the play from KOC and taking 10 seconds to read it off his wrist. Unbelievable contrast!

Did you notice the amount of delay of game calls all year? I place that entirely on the coaching. You will never get into a rhythm like that. JJM said the same thing about the length of the calls. That process needs to be fixed.

[CharVike]

Zavier Scott showed some nice receiving skills in the Steeler game. The deeper TD catch was great and our OL blocked. Maybe he will help and so far looks like a find.

[CharVike]

Ryan Kelly to IR. Perhaps they should just shut him down for the year. How many concussion can you have before it's over. Not exactly the best signing from the FA junk pile. Vershon Lee signed to backup Brandel. Wentz better hope he don't get in or he might be out himself. Last weeks 6 sacks might seem like a light work load. Ridder was cut so we have 2 QBs and no emergency QB right now.

[VikingsVictorious]

Will this be the beginning of the BrosB4Hoesmer Era?

[psjordan]

Wonder what Addison did to get suspended for the 1st qtr. Decent win, hopefully now some healing up time.

[CharVike]

That was a good win especially when losing the turnover battle and Will the Nill doing a Peg job and blocking a FG right. I thought Bosmer was coming in for good. I give Wentz credit. He made some nice throws. The Browns throwing the incomplete pass on their last drive was bad coaching and a gift to us. Just pound it up the middle. The Cam TD throw fooled them good. When I saw Skule replace Darrisaw I had some bad thoughts. He held up and even Rouse played ok which was a surprise for me. Snap counts for Darrisaw. I think Huber had a couple penalties but not a terrible 1st pro start. This teams needs rest/healing and it's only week 5.
Looks like Will's miss might have hit a camera wire. Don't really matter at this point.

[CharVike]

Wonder what Addison did to get suspended for the 1st qtr. Decent win, hopefully now some healing up time.

Jordan Addison was benched for the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 5, 2025, because he missed a team walkthrough session. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the decision was a form of accountability for missing the team activity, which was not in alignment with the team's standards. Addison returned to the game in the second quarter and caught the game-winning touchdown.

[ERIK the PURPLE]

Addison’s a helluva player but he’s not exactly the brightest bulb in the bunch.

[VikingsVictorious]

Nice win.

[cogitator]

Addison’s a helluva player but he’s not exactly the brightest bulb in the bunch.

That's for sure. You would think he couldn't get in trouble staying a foreign country, the team probably hanging out together pretty much all day.