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NFL International Series Late Touchdown Seals Defeat for Browns; Rookie Quarterback Debuts in London Setback The Cleveland Browns fell to the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL International Series fixture in London on Sunday, recording a final score of 21-17. The result, decided in the final minute of the fourth quarter, drops the Browns' season record to 1-4 and deepens the questions surrounding the team’s challenging 2025 campaign. The decisive Vikings touchdown came with just 25 seconds remaining, capping an 80-yard drive led by quarterback Carson Wentz, who found receiver Jordan Addison for a 12-yard score. While the browns-score-today confirmed another narrow loss for Cleveland, the primary focus following the contest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the baptism of fire for rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who made his first career NFL start. Gabriel showed flashes of potential but was unable to prevent the late-game collapse that has characterised several of the team’s early-season defeats. Gabriel’s Composed Introduction The narrative surrounding the game was heavily weighted toward the performance of Gabriel, the third-round draft pick out of Oregon, who was promoted to the starting role following veteran Joe Flacco's benching due to a string of turnovers. In his debut, Gabriel finished 19 of 33 for 190 yards, throwing two touchdowns to tight ends Harold Fannin Jr. and David Njoku, and posting a solid passer rating of 94. 3.
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His performance was highlighted by an ability to protect the ball, a critical mandate after the offense’s earlier struggles. Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the mix of promise and imperfection shown by the young signal-caller. Speaking after the team's return from overseas, Stefanski remarked: “There were some good things, some rookie things to certainly clean up. For a young player in that environment versus that defense to take care of the ball, make the plays he made, I thought was a lot of positives with plenty to clean up. ” Gabriel, who demonstrated a quick release and effective mobility, was notably faster in his time-to-throw compared to his predecessor. This quick decision-making helped to mitigate pressure from a strong Vikings defensive front. Defensive end Myles Garrett, a stalwart of the Browns’ unit, noted the change in energy, suggesting Gabriel brought "something different, a different flavor" to the offense, and adding that the rookie “put us in position to win. ” Defensive Failure to Close Despite the offensive struggles that have defined the Browns' season, it was the highly-rated defensive unit, which entered the game ranked among the league's best, that ultimately failed to secure the victory. The defence held a 17-14 lead for most of the final quarter but allowed the Vikings to march the length of the field in the waning minutes, conceding on the final, critical drive.
The frustration within the team was palpable. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz, known for his intensity, later offered a brutally honest assessment of the final drive. “I don’t think I’ve been able to keep any food down since we gave up that touchdown,” Schwartz was quoted as saying. “We just needed one play and we failed to get it done. ” The unit allowed 349 total yards, a season-high, and failed to generate the necessary pressure on Wentz during the decisive moments. Compounding the problem were the offense’s crippling inefficiencies on third down, converting only three of 15 attempts. This recurring issue consistently placed immense pressure back on the defense. Analysts at the conclusion of the game pointed out that the Browns offense took only 22 seconds off the clock during a crucial three-and-out late in the fourth quarter, gifting the Vikings sufficient time to execute the winning drive. Broader Seasonal Implications The 21-17 loss to Minnesota leaves Cleveland at 1-4 and occupying last place in the competitive AFC North division.
The team’s overall trajectory is now viewed by many league observers as a season of “triage” and evaluation rather than active playoff contention. This assessment has been reinforced by the franchise’s decision to move away from established veterans in favour of evaluating young talent like Gabriel and fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, who became the first Browns rookie since Nick Chubb in 2018 to rush for over 100 yards in a single game (110 yards on 23 carries). The current instability at the quarterback position, marking the ninth different starting quarterback since 2022, underscores the ongoing organizational challenge. However, the accumulation of significant draft capital, including two projected first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, suggests that the team is focused on a long-term rebuild. As one analyst from Sports Illustrated noted, the 2025 season appears to be less about chasing immediate victories and more about "discovering if anything in this locker room can still be salvaged, and if so, who’s worth building around. " Looking ahead, the Browns face another stern test next week as they travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a vital AFC North divisional contest. For Coach Stefanski and the organisation, the goal shifts to supporting their young players through a demanding schedule while trying to ensure the competitive spirit, demonstrated by the close browns-score-today in London, does not dissipate under the strain of a losing record. The focus will be on eliminating the costly mistakes and third-down failures that continue to undermine promising performances.
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