Vikings vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Week 5 Odds, Prediction
After losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, 24-21, last weekend, the Minnesota Vikings are staying overseas and heading to London, where they’ll face the Cleveland Browns Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
The Vikings fell to 2-2 as backup quarterback Carson Wentz was sacked six times and threw two interceptions behind a makeshift offensive line that was pounced on consistently by the Steelers’ defence. Minnesota will face an AFC North opponent for the third consecutive week, as the Browns come in at 1-3 after losing to the Detroit Lions, 34-10.
Both teams come into Sunday morning’s matinee facing massive questions regarding their shorthanded offensive lines.
Minnesota is a 3.5-point favourite on the NFL odds, with a total of 36.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Vikings and Browns are both 2-2 against the spread so far this season. Minnesota is 1-2 ATS as a favourite while Cleveland has now been an underdog in all five of their matchups.
The Vikings have played to the Over three times in four games, while the Browns, who are 2-8 ATS and 1-9 straight up in their last 10 games overall, have played to the Over just once.
Wentz, who replaced an injured J.J. McCarthy under centre for the Vikings two weeks ago, is +145 to throw more than 1.5 touchdowns. He has thrown two in both starts this season.
Minnesota Vikings
Wentz feels like an uninspired choice at quarterback, but McCarthy has yet to even practice since injuring his ankle. Worse, Wentz is playing behind an offensive line that had more backups (three) on the field against the Steelers at the end of the game than starters (two).
Left guard Donovan Jackson will miss at least one more game with an injured wrist, while right tackle Brian O’Neill (knee) and centre Ryan Kelly (concussion) may not be available this weekend either.
Cleveland Browns
Right tackle Jack Conklin missed last week with an elbow injury and is listed as questionable for the Vikings contest. His replacement, Cornelius Lucas, was preyed on by the Steelers’ defensive line. Tackle Dawand Jones is on injured reserve.
However, the big Cleveland news is that rookie QB Dillon Gabriel will make his NFL debut in London. He’s replacing Joe Flacco, who has just two touchdowns and six interceptions while totalling a league-high eight giveaways overall. Gabriel definitely can’t make this offence worse, but I’m not convinced he can go overseas and keep this game close.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Vikings vs. Browns?
It’s a good thing this game is in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as the 36.5-point total and offensively-challenged atmosphere feels more akin to an English Premier League line than an NFL one.
Both defences should flourish in this game. Despite losing by 24 points, the Browns’ defence held Lions quarterback Jared Goff to season lows in yards passing and completion percentage.
Cleveland appears to show well every other week thanks to its defence, which should pounce on Wentz all afternoon. However, the Vikings should be a little more comfortable, having already been in Europe for over a week and going up against a rookie QB.
Look for Minnesota to prevail in an ugly affair, 13-7.
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