Browns' defense dominates Vikings in 14-7 victory
Oct. 3—Kevin Stefanski is known for his offense but it was his Cleveland defense that really put on a show in his return to Minnesota.
The Browns shut down the potent Vikings offense in a 14-7 victory Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Stefanski, Cleveland's head coach, faced the Vikings for the first time since his days as an assistant for them from 2006-19, finishing up as offensive coordinator.
The Vikings went 75 yards for a touchdown on the first possession of the game for a 7-0 led, but they didn't score again. They never even made it into the red zone the rest of the game.
The Vikings did have one final chance to tie the game when they faced third-and-4 at the Cleveland 26 with three seconds left in the game. But Kirk Cousins pass was incomplete in the end zone.
The Browns (3-1) led 11-7 at halftime over the Vikings, who are off to a 1-3 start for the second straight year.
The Vikings, who entered the game third in the NFL in total offense, cruised down the field after taking the opening kickoff. They scored on a 12-yard pass from Cousins to Justin Jefferson.
Cleveland took lead for good on a 1-yard run by Kareem Hunt with 1:16 left in the half. The Browns went out to kick the extra point, but the Vikings were called for a delay of the game. They then elected to go for a two-point conversion, with the ball being moved from the 2 to the 1 due to the penalty. Baker Mayfield then threw a pass to tight end Andy Janovich for an 8-7 lead.
The Browns extended the lead to 11-7 when Chase McLaughlin drilled a 48-yard field goal with two seconds left in the half. The drive was kept alive when Hunt ran for 33 yards after the Browns had faced third-and-20 at their 26 with 36 seconds left in the half. The Vikings had no timeouts left, so the half would likely have ended had Hunt gained 19 or less yards.
The only points of the second half came on McLaughlin's 53-yard field goal with 6:16 remaining for a 14-7 lead.
After going 6 of 6 for 59 yards and the touchdown on the opening drive, Cousins finished 20 of 38 for 203 yards, and his first interception of the season.
