It is an early start for the Cleveland Browns today as they take on the Minnesota Vikings in London.
If Cleveland’s first international game since 2017 is not enough to get people excited, quarterback Dillon
Gabriel will be making his first NFL start as head coach Kevin Stefanski looks to jumpstart an offense that has not scored more than 17 points in nine consecutive games.
While everyone grabs a cup of coffee, ponders whether or not to indulge in a full English breakfast, and prepares for kickoff, let’s take a run through the latest news and notes about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL in today’s edition of the Sunday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature:
- Two matchups to watch in Browns vs. Vikings (Thomas Moore) – Cleveland’s D-line could feast on Minnesota’s depleted O-line. But beware Justin Jefferson on one particular throw.
- Browns elevate 2 from practice squad for Week 5, Greg Newsome injury indication? (Jared Mueller) – Cleveland’s roster moves on Saturday could provide an indicator of Greg Newsome’s injury status for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
- Browns fans taking over London for Week 5 Vikings game (Jared Mueller) – Cleveland Browns fans have made their presence known throughout the week in England. From double-decker tour bus events and trivia night being sold out in minutes to over 1,000 fans taking over a huge bar, the orange and brown have been well represented in London.
- NFL players donning “Gold Shield” on their jerseys this year (Barry Shuck) – The NFL has added a new patch for the 2025 season: The Gold Shield. On the surface, this would conjure up thoughts of players who have won a Super Bowl ring. Or who were named NFL All-Pro the season before. Or maybe those who own a Bentley or a unicorn. All good guesses, but no.
- Browns believe extra time in London together, similar schedule will help vs. Vikings (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns vs. the Minnesota Vikings is a battle of injured versus jet lag, but Cleveland is happy with their schedule and time together.
- Cleveland Browns fans are holding out hope that Dillon Gabriel will turn the season around (Chris Pokorny) – With the Vikings, Steelers, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets coming up, how many wins do Browns fans expect in that stretch?
- Browns HC Kevin Stefanski’s dad gets new pro sports job (Jared Mueller) – Ed Stefanski, father of Browns HC Kevin Stefanski, assumes a role with the Phoenix Suns of the NBA.
Cleveland Browns:
- What I’m hearing about why Browns made QB switch (Terry Pluto) – What I’m hearing about the Browns’ QB change from Joe Flacco to Dillon Gabriel. I don’t necessarily agree with every point, but I believe it’s important for readers to know the Browns’ thinking on why they made the switch now.
- Browns looking to ‘build towards that’ much-needed offensive line continuity (Beacon Journal) – Five games. Five different starting offensive line combinations. Forget about any of the quarterback conversation for the moment. If you’re looking for a reason why the Browns offense has been stuck somewhere between below average to inept, that’s where the conversation should start.
- Browns-Vikings: 3 things to watch, 3 key numbers, the prediction (Browns Zone) – When Cleveland’s Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward is assigned to Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson, it’ll be good on good. They’re two of the best.
- Why Joe Flacco should’ve seen it coming, and why Shedeur Sanders wasn’t named QB2 (cleveland.com) – Browns quarterback Joe Flacco admitted Wednesday that “I don’t think I foresaw” the switch to Dillon Gabriel coming — but he should’ve.
- Why hasn’t Shedeur Sanders moved up Browns’ depth chart? The non-answers speak volumes (The Athletic) – As the Cleveland Browns prepared for the only full practice of their overseas journey ahead of their NFL International Series game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, new starting rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw passes toward the end zone while Joe Flacco, the veteran passer who was replaced by Gabriel this week, mostly looked on from behind the drill. Near midfield, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders directed traffic in a different kind of passing drill.
- Norse Code Podcast Episode 575: Browns Preview with Jared Mueller (Daily Norseman) – Previewing the Browns game with SBNation’s Jared Mueller.
NFL:
- Ravens face underdog status amid massive injury hit (ESPN) – When coach John Harbaugh was first asked this week about the Baltimore Ravens’ numerous injuries, he tried to make light of a very difficult situation. “We could sit here, and you could ask me about every single guy,” Harbaugh said. “Who’s got time for that?”
- Bengals need a QB. How about Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston or Kirk Cousins? (Washington Post) – Cincinnati’s reliance on backup quarterback Jake Browning is faltering, even with a pair of high-priced wide receivers there to target.
- How COVID led Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka to NFL instead of MLB (ESPN) – In the alternate universe proposed to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in a question asked by ESPN on Wednesday, the wideout isn’t catching passes from Baker Mayfield or slow-walking into the end zone and triumphantly pumping his fist. In an alternate universe, he’s not playing at Lumen Field on Sunday when the Bucs visit the Seattle Seahawks — or playing football at all.
