The Minnesota Vikings travel to face the Cleveland Browns tonight. Minnesota is coming off a rough week that saw rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy ruled out for the season due to a full meniscus tear. McCarthy was 11-of-17 for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in an encouraging preseason opener.
Let's preview the game and dive into my Vikings vs. Browns prediction for tonight's matchup from Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Vikings vs. Browns Prediction
Pick: Browns -3 (-105) |
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I'm backing Cleveland's quarterback depth here. McCarthy is out and we aren't going to see Minnesota's starter. While we aren't going to see either of the Browns' top two quarterbacks, but I like their third and fourth options more than the Vikings'.
Vikings vs. Browns Odds
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -115 | 34.5 +100o / -120u | +140 |
| Browns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -105 | 36.5 +100o / -120u | -165 |
This spread opened at Browns -2.5 and hasn’t moved too much. The total, though, opened at 37.5 and has been bet down from there.
Vikings vs. Browns Betting Trends
- 51% of bets and 51% of the money are on the Vikings to cover the spread.
- 51% of bets and 67% of the money are on the over.
All data via Action Network's public betting percentages and as of Friday night.
Dylan Wilkerson's Vikings vs. Browns Preview
The Minnesota Vikings completed a comeback against the Las Vegas Raiders last week, solidifying their first preseason win since 2019. At this point, Minnesota has won moral victories. Now, head coach Kevin O’Connell needs to keep his starters healthy for the regular season.
This week, Jordan Addison was spotted wearing a boot after getting tangled up with a defender during joint practice. While O’Connell has said that he does not expect Addison to miss much time, the Vikings are likely to take caution when it comes to mitigating injury risk for the rest of the preseason. The last thing they need is to be down to their third-string quarterback heading into the regular season.
Also to be expected, the Vikings will be without star receiver Justin Jefferson on Saturday. It's only Week 2 of the preseason, and the Vikings have their backs against the wall. They have to preserve what they have left when it comes to their roster health.
It will likely be Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall handling the bulk of snaps under center for the Vikings. These two guys don’t have the same ceiling as the Browns' pair. Considering how thin Minnesota is defensively it only widens the talent gap between the two teams.
It is also important to consider that Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Tyler Huntley could be considered a cut candidate as we enter the middle third of the preseason. Both of these guys can feel the pressure to perform in otherwise, “meaningless” games.
On the other hand, we have the 0-1 Browns with a very deep quarterback room for preseason play. Cleveland put most of its quarterback talent on display last week. Thompson-Robinson, Huntley and Jameis Winston all got playing time, with Thompson-Robinson getting most of the work.
Although the Browns lost, all three quarterbacks took care of the football. Thompson-Robinson was the most explosive of the group, averaging 7.4 yards per attempt.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has said that no starters will play in this game and that Winston will have the day off. That leaves Thompson-Robinson and Huntley to split the snaps.
How to Watch Vikings vs. Browns Start Time, Channel, Location
Vikings vs. Browns will be available to stream on NFL+. Vikings-Browns is scheduled to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.
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My Vikings vs. Browns Prediction
While the Vikings are just hoping to get out of the preseason with their health, the Browns have two quarterbacks who will be battling for their professional lives. Also, they'll be throwing to competent second-string playmakers like Cedric Tillman.
The Browns have it together, and I expect them to take care of business on Saturday.
Pick: Browns -3 (-105) |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
