Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns were trying to hold on to a 17-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings in London, as rookie QB Dillon Gabriel was close to a win in his first career start. However, the offense failed to close out the game with a couple of opportunities, and then the defense gave up a game-winning drive in the final moments, falling 21-17. Let’s get to the full game recap.
The Browns got the opening kickoff and started at the 40 yard line after the kick was not in the landing zone. After a handoff on first down, another carry on second down was brought back due to a hold by left tackle KT Leveston. A pass by QB Dillon Gabriel off of a double fake screen pass went to TE David Njoku for 12 yards. His third down pass fell incomplete, though, and the Browns punted down to the Vikings’ 8 yard line.
Minnesota started the drive with success, picking up several first downs with a mix of runs and short passes. As they approached midfield, though, DE Alex Wright punched the ball out from RB Jordan Mason, with S Grant Delpit recovering.
RB Quinshon Judkins then had a burst around the right edge for 32 yards, followed by an 9-yard run to set the Browns up for a 2nd-and-2 at the 7 yard line. After an incomplete pass off of a playfake, on third down, the Browns went back to Judkins, who was stopped short. On 4th-and-1, the Browns went for it, and Judkins was able to move the chains. RB Jerome Ford then came in to give Judkins a brief break, and gained 3 yards to set up 2nd-and-goal at the 2 yard line. Off of the playfake, this time TE Harold Fannin was open on the left side for a 2-yard touchdown to give Cleveland a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, a hold on the Vikings forced them to begin at the 18 yard line. After getting them into a 3rd-and-7 situation, QB Carson Wentz got a first down completion to WR Justin Jefferson on a nice out route. From there, the Vikings kept having the Browns’ defense completely off-balance, with Wentz getting the quick playaction passes to the boundary. Then, Cleveland’s defense was completely fooled when RB Cam Akers lined up at quarterback, sprinted to the right, and threw a touchdown pass to TE John Oliver for 32 yards to tie the game at 7-7 with 2:30 remaining in the opening quarter.
Cleveland had what looked to be an exciting long touchdown run from Judkins, but it was wiped away by two holding penalties on the offense. The Browns then faced a 3rd-and-15 heading to the second quarter.
On 3rd-and-15, the Browns were pushed back from a false start. A pass to Njoku gained 11 yards to set up the ensuing punt, which went out of bounds at the Vikings’ 21...
