The GameDay Opening Drive 10/5: Week 5, Vikings Await Across the Pond

Get ready bright and early as the Browns look to get back on track in London.

BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 4, 1970: Cleveland Browns quarterback Bill Nelson #16 looks to pass during the 1969 NFL Championship Game against the Minnesta Vikings on January 4, 1970 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Vikings overran the Browns 27-7 to advance to Super Bowl IV.

As we all wake up and roll out of bed, the Browns are in our lives much sooner than any of us are programmed to settle in. We usually get until the 1PM slot but this 9:30AM window will challenge our ability to lock in. Get a good breakfast in and buckle up, everyone. The Browns have a unique opportunity today with their matchup against the Vikings. The arrival of Dillon Gabriel as the starter, the defense chasing Carson Wentz once again, and the chance to impress the London crowd. Nothing more you can ask for to be honest.

In all seriousness, the start for Gabriel, and his performance, means so much. If the young quarterback can show enough competence to lead this offense to some successful drives, take care of the ball, and provide a spark to consietcny, then you have something very intriguing to lock into throughout the season. Sure, we are spending our time scouting quarterbacks on Saturdays right now, but the answer could be right in front of us.

Today, we get that chance to see what is possible for Gabriel and this offense. There should be some excitement around that fact. I look forward to seeing how he responds to the Vikings’ tough defense on the NFL’s main platform in front of the football world.

Inside the weekly GameDay Opening Drive you will get all the pieces of information paired with your GameDay Podcast to enhance your Sundays with this team.

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So, sit back, pour some early AM coffee, turn on the best pre-game Browns song known to man, and enjoy some Browns vs Vikings noteworthy items.

Cleveland Browns fans in the stands during the International Series NFL match at Twickenham, London. (Photo by Simon Cooper/PA Images via Getty Images)

Looks like it will feel like a gray fall day. It will be partly cloudy, and generally cool temperatures. It’ll be a low of around 50°F and a high getting close to 62°F. There’s a very minimal chance of rain but there may be some wind gusts throughout.

The Vikings Tyrone Carter stops Cleveland’s Aaron Shea on 4th and one yard to go during the first half of Minnesota’s losss to the Browns.(Photo By JUDY GRIESEDIECK/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

The Browns and Vikings history doesn’t run anywhere near as deep as against the other NFC North teams, but they do have a few key matchups over the years. In the 1969 season the Browns battled the Vikings twice with the second matchup to decide who would represent the NFL in Super Bowl IV. The Vikings won 27-7 and would go on to lose to the Chiefs the next week.

The teams met six times in the 1970s, then four times in the 1980s, and just two times in the 1990s. Then since the return, the two sides didn’t get together until 2005 because of the 2002 division realignment. That means the two sides have played just five times in total since 1999 with the Vikings winning three of the five but the Browns have won 2 of the last 3 meetings.

Overall, the Vikings lead the all-time series 12–5.

Sep 13, 2009; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn (10) throws in the pocket against the Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images