10 quick thoughts on the Vikings loss to the Browns in Week 4
By Adam Patrick
With a loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings are now sitting with a disappointing 1-3 record this season.
Unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings weren’t able to spoil the return of Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Sunday. A strong defensive performance by Stefanski’s Browns allowed them to walk off the field with a win over the Vikings by a final score of 14-7.
With the loss, Minnesota is now 1-3, and any momentum they gained from their victory in Week 3 has disappeared. Luckily, the Vikings have a good chance to get things back on track next week when they remain on their home field and take on the winless Detroit Lions.
Quick thoughts on the Vikings loss in Week 4
Opening drive touchdowns becoming normal – The Vikings scored a touchdown on their first offensive possession for the third week in a row on Sunday. Minnesota’s offense has been doing really well at setting the tone for the rest of the team with their early scores this season. However, that touchdown turned out to be their only one of the matchup.
Bringing back Griffen was a good decision – Everson Griffen has been such a breath of fresh air for the Vikings’ pass rush. He had a big sack on third down early in the matchup on Sunday and he’s really just made a great impact in key situations this season.
Zimmer takes more chances – In the first half, Minnesota went for it on fourth down twice. They converted one and failed to gain the first down on the other attempt. But the Vikings had as many fourth-down attempts on Sunday as they had during their first three games this season.
Cook still isn’t 100 percent – Dalvin Cook made it sound like he was back to normal before Sunday’s game. But once the first whistle blew, it was clear Cook’s ankle wasn’t going to let him be his normal self out on the field. Don’t’ be surprised if the Vikings have him sit out next week against the Detroit Lions.
Minnesota’s run defense non-existent – Vikings gave up 98 rushing yards to the Browns in the first half on Sunday and 184 on the ground in total. Wasn’t everything supposed to be fixed with the additions of Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce in the middle this year? Guess not.