The Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns face off in a preseason contest tonight in the second exhibition game for each team this offseason.
With depth necessary to succeed in the NFL landscape, preseason games may not get the glitz and glamour, but it sharpens the overall support capacity of the team. The Vikings travel to Cleveland in a jam-packed Saturday slate.
Here is everything you need to know surrounding the Vikings vs. Browns Week 2 preseason game, including the channel, start time, live stream options, and more.
Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns
- Start time: Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Channel: Local
- Live stream options: NFL+
- Radio stations: KFAN FM 100.3, 92.3 The Fan
- Starting QBs: TBD
- Betting lines:
- Spread: CLE -3
- Total: 37
- Moneyline: CLE -162, MIN +136
The next NFL game today sees the Minnesota Vikings heading to Ohio to take on the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings won a thriller in their 2024 NFL preseason debut, taking down the Las Vegas Raiders 24-23 with a field goal from Will Reichard as time expired. However, it might have come at a massive cost.
While rookie QB J.J. McCarthy had an incredible debut, throwing two touchdowns, the Vikings’ first-round pick was held out of practice Monday after reporting knee soreness following the game. After an evaluation, tests revealed the Vikings rookie had a tear in the meniscus of his right knee and will get surgery this week.
After receiving the procedure, the doctors were forced to do a full repair, knocking the rookie QB out for the remainder of the 2024 season. Unless second-year QB Jaren Hall massively outdoes himself over the next two weeks, Sam Darnold has all but secured his status as the Vikings’ QB1.
The Browns dropped their preseason opener to the Green Bay Packers 23-10. While the Packers got some minutes from their starters, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski elected to rest most of his starters, giving his reserves a chance to prove themselves. While they didn’t come out on top, there were a couple of bright spots.
QB Jameis Winston got to start the game, but second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson played well after some rough performances during his rookie season. He’s fighting Tyler Huntley for the Browns’ third QB spot, and two more performances like that will practically seal it for the former UCLA Bruin.
Stenfanski and the coaching staff will need to improve several aspects of the team, including the rushing attack. Although it was one of the most vital aspects of Cleveland’s offensive unit last season, they only mustered 56 yards on 21 carries and a lost fumble. They had some of the offensive line out, but neither team had entire first strings.
Both franchises will whittle down the roster to 53 players as the preseason continues. With the Vikings’ predicament, a new plan under center will be necessary for the preseason. Will a new signal-caller’s first action with the Vikings come against the Browns? Meanwhile, Browns fans await to see some of their starters in action.
Vikings at Browns Betting Preview
With J.J. McCarthy ruled out for the season, the Minnesota Vikings are understandably looking to play things safe with Sam Darnold in preseason.
With McCarthy and Darnold, the Vikings scored 24 points last week, while Cleveland only managed 10 points with their backups. Jameis Winston will likely be the best quarterback in this game, and that tells me all I need to know — especially if Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy don’t play.
For more betting analysis, make sure to check out PFN’s Week 2 preseason picks and predictions.
