The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Cleveland Browns 21-17 on October 5, 2025, in Week 5 of the NFL International Games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Vikings improved to 3-2, while rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel made his NFL debut for Cleveland but ultimately fell short against Minnesota’s Carson Wentz, who played despite suffering a severe shoulder injury.[1][2][3][4]
Gabriel’s First NFL Start and Mixed Execution
Gabriel completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards with two touchdown passes and zero interceptions, posting a 94.3 passer rating. His first touchdown came on a short pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the first quarter. Gabriel’s second score occurred on third-and-9 in the third quarter when he threaded a pass between three defenders to David Njoku, extending Cleveland’s lead to 17-14.[5][6][7][8]
While Gabriel demonstrated competence in specific moments, he struggled with consistency throughout the contest. Context proves critical: by Week 8, Gabriel became the lowest-ranked starting quarterback in the NFL, recording a 52.1% on-target rate and only one win in four starts.[9][10][11][12][5]
Judkins Rushes for 110 Yards Anchoring Cleveland’s Offense
Running back Quinshon Judkins provided consistency with 23 carries for 110 yards at 4.8 yards per carry. One long touchdown run was negated by holding penalty, preventing Cleveland from extending its advantage.[13][14][15]
Addison’s Benching and Game-Winning Reception
Jordan Addison missed the first quarter after skipping a mandatory team walkthrough per coach Kevin O’Connell. Addison returned and delivered decisively: a 12-yard touchdown reception from Wentz with 25 seconds remaining secured the Vikings’ victory.[3][16][17][18][19][1]
Wentz Plays Through Dislocated Shoulder to Lead Final Drive
Wentz suffered a dislocated left, non-throwing shoulder in the first half, tearing his labrum and fracturing the socket. Vikings medical staff determined that playing posed no additional structural damage risk; the decision rested on pain tolerance.[20][21][1][3]
Wentz completed 9 of 9 passes for 71 yards on the final drive, delivering the game-winning touchdown to Addison with 25 seconds remaining.[18][22][1]
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Drive Completions | 9-for-9 |
| Final Drive Yards | 71 yards |
| Time Remaining at TD | 25 seconds |
| Winning Receiver | Jordan Addison |
After the bye week, Wentz continued playing while wearing a shoulder harness through Week 7 before undergoing season-ending surgery.[4][23][24]
Jefferson Leads All Receivers with Game-High Performance
Justin Jefferson caught seven passes for 123 receiving yards, both team highs and game highs across both squads. His 21-yard reception late in the game positioned the Vikings for scoring range.[25][26][1]
Season Records and Long-Term Implications
The Vikings improved to 3-2 entering their bye week, while the Browns dropped to 1-4. Gabriel’s subsequent performances sparked ongoing debate regarding Cleveland’s quarterback situation, with backup Shedeur Sanders frequently mentioned.[27][28][1][3][4][9]
Wentz’s season-ending shoulder injury forced Minnesota to rely on backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy, expected to return for Week 9 against Detroit.[23][29][4]
