The upstart Cleveland Browns will take on the new-look Minnesota Vikings in week 2 of the NFL preseason Saturday afternoon inside Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will kick off at 4:25 pm.
The Browns know this is a make-or-break season for them. They had a nice little run in 2023, but they did it mostly late with a backup quarterback. Now, they look for their starter, Deshaun Watson, who was cleared to play but will not play in the team's second preseason game against the Vikings.
Backup Jameis Winston should get some reps. As we all know, he loves to throw the ball down the field and can also turn it over. Look for the Browns to try to get into a nice groove with the offense, score early, and then rest some key players.
The Browns were hit with the injury bug in a 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Five players left the contest due to injury, including second-year center Luke Wypler, who had to have an air cast and cart. Do not be shocked if even the backups like Winston play a series or two and then are pulled, which leads us to believe this could be a low-scoring game.
The Vikings head into the 2024 NFL season without veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins, who is now in Atlanta. So, reps at the quarterback position are essential for them in these next two preseason games. They will be looking at castoff Sam Darnold to take the lead as the club's starting QB when they open up the regular season on the road against the New York Giants.
They have been able to move the ball over the last several years with Cousins, and they know they need to get their offense in gear. This will be a good test for them against a decent Browns defense that may play some of their starters. In their preseason opener, the Vikings earned a 24-23 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Backup QB JJ McCarthy had some bumpy moments but settled in and tossed two touchdown passes against backups in the win. He must also get reps because Darnold's injury history is well known, and if he gets one hit, McCarthy could be thrust into action. If Brown's starters on defense had some series against the rookie QB, we could see more turnovers. But he will play against backups again, look for the Vikings to run the ball early, and then open it up with him.
The Brown's 2024 win total is 8 1/2 after they had an enjoyable season in 2023. They finished the season with a mark of 11-6 and made the playoffs. They were a profitable 10-7-1 against the spread last season, and their odds of winning a stacked AFC North are +450. The Vikings went a disappointing 7-10, missed the playoffs, and are in the midst of a rebuild. Their 2024 win total sits at 6 1/2, which is low when you think about it. But, if McCarthy plays early in the season, the under should be in play.
