5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns – Week 4
By Chris Schad
Chubb and Hunt will run over Minnesota’s defense
With his defense still trying to find Alvin Kamara, Mike Zimmer’s first move this offseason was to beef up Minnesota’s defensive line. Having Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson in the middle was supposed to shut down the opposing running game this season, but that hasn’t been the case in the first three games.
The Vikings allowed 127 rushing yards to Joe Mixon in Week 1 and followed it up by allowing 103 yards on 21 attempts to Arizona in Week 2. Although they held Seattle in check through the second half, they allowed a 30-yard touchdown run to Chris Carson last week.
On the season, Minnesota is allowing the fifth-highest rushing rate in the NFL at 4.8 yards per carry. Now they get to deal with one of the league’s best rushing tandems in Chubb and Hunt.
“They’re both very good backs,” Co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer said, “they both are physical runners. They both will take it to the perimeter. I think they’re a good 1-2 punch.”
After running for 215 yards against the Chicago Bears, the Browns will be ready to run the ball. It will be up to the Vikings to find a way to stop it.