London Surprise: Gabriel’s First Start Meets a Tough Test
In the international edition of NFL Sunday, rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel endured a baptism by fire in his first career start, guiding the Cleveland Browns in a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. The performance showed flashes of potential amid a challenging environment that tested a young quarterback’s poise on a grand stage.
The game began with an unusual stipulation for Minnesota: wide receiver Jordan Addison did not dress for the initial drives, leaving a noticeable gap in the offense. The absence lasted through the first quarter, leaving questions about the coaching decision until Addison rejoined later in the game to help stake the Vikings to a late lead. No explicit reason was given for the early lineup change, but Addison’s return would become a turning point as Minnesota mounted its comeback.
Gabriel’s Night: Efficient, but Not Perfect
Gabriel finished 19 of 33 for 190 yards with two touchdown passes, showing calm in the pocket and the ability to distribute to multiple targets. The Browns leaned on a robust run game, where Quinshon Judkins authored a breakout international performance with 23 carries for 110 yards. A potential long touchdown run was negated by a holding penalty, but Judkins still delivered a steady ground attack that kept Cleveland within striking distance.
Gabriel’s first scoring pass came on a designed play at the 1-yard line midway through the first quarter. After faking to Judkins, Gabriel found Harold Fannin Jr. in the flat for a clean score that gave the Browns an early edge. His second touchdown, a third-quarter strike on third-and-9, demonstrated pocket awareness and accuracy: Gabriel threaded a pass to tight end David Njoku in a tight window for a 17-14 lead and momentum for Cleveland.
Despite the two touchdowns, Gabriel’s offense couldn’t quite shake Minnesota, which faced its own distractions and injuries but remained resilient on the international stage. The Browns gave him a chance to win a road game on a global stage, and he delivered a few gutsy throws under pressure, showing rookie jitters at times but overall encouraging signs for Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart.
Judkins, Wentz, and the Vikings’ Answer
The Vikings countered with a patient, multifaceted attack. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer briefly entered the game to kneel at the end of the first half after a brief injury scare to quarterback Carson Wentz, who returned to the field with no lingering issues. Wentz then orchestrated a decisive sequence, guiding Minnesota on a critical drive that culminated in a go-ahead field-goal-range situation late in the game.
Quinshon Judkins carried most of the load on the ground, his workhorse night matched by efficient pass plays from Wentz. Justin Jefferson was a standout, compiling seven receptions for 123 yards—the team-highs in both categories—serving as the primary big-play threat and a steadying force in clutch moments.
The Vikings’ defense bent but didn’t break, and Will Reichard’s 51-yard field-goal attempt that could have tied the game went awry, as the miss kept Cleveland ahead and preserved the Vikings’ late-game opportunity. Minnesota then relied on a combination of timely receptions and strong ball security to protect a narrow lead through the final minutes.
Clutch Moments and the Final Drive
With 9:41 remaining, Minnesota faced a critical decision point, pushing for a game-tying score. The Browns forced a punt, and Wentz delivered a 21-yard connection to Jefferson that moved the Vikings into field-goal range. Jefferson’s performance was emblematic of Minnesota’s offensive resilience, offering a reliable target when the clock was their enemy.
As the clock dwindled, Gabriel connected for a couple of explosive gains—22-yard completions to Isaiah Bond and Jamari Thrash that briefly kept Cleveland alive. Thrash’s effort to get out of bounds on the next play proved costly, allowing the Vikings to kneel out the clock and seal the win in London.
Takeaways: A Promising Start for Gabriel and a Vikings Rally
For a first NFL start, Dillon Gabriel showed poise and playmaking ability, collecting a couple of meaningful touchdowns and leading clutch drives down the stretch. The Browns have to be encouraged by the quarterback’s resilience and the execution of a diverse receiving corps, headlined by Harold Fannin Jr. and Njoku in tight windows. On the other side, Jordan Addison’s late-game emergence reinforced his role as a game-changing playmaker for Minnesota, while Jefferson’s all-around performance underscored the Vikings’ potential as a balanced, high-powered offense in any setting.
London once again delivered a high-stakes, international stage that tested both teams’ depth, resilience, and preparation. The Browns left with lessons learned from a windy, high-pressure environment, while the Vikings walked away with a win that reinforced their ability to finish, even when the path isn’t straightforward.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights, and more as the Vikings and Browns navigate the NFL’s international series in London.
