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Rookie QB Dillon Gabriel-Browns Makes Historic International Debut in Close Loss to Vikings The Cleveland Browns’ desperate search for a stable signal-caller continued this weekend as rookie Dillon Gabriel, promoted from the bench mid-week, made a historic first NFL start in the London Games, narrowly losing 21-17 to the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The third-round draft pick from Oregon, who had played his collegiate football at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon, became the first quarterback in the history of the National Football League (NFL) to make his debut professional start in an international fixture. His performance was marked by flashes of poise and efficiency, injecting much-needed life into the Browns' struggling offence, though it ultimately was not enough to prevent the team from falling to a disappointing 1-4 record. Gabriel, 24, was thrust into the starting role after the team, reeling from a 1-3 start, opted to bench veteran Joe Flacco, whose early-season performance had been plagued by inconsistencies and turnovers. Coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision to elevate the rookie was a high-stakes gamble aimed at igniting an offence that ranked second-to-last in league scoring, averaging only 14 points per game. The move underscores the intense pressure and instability that has defined the Cleveland franchise’s quarterback position for decades. In a game that remained tight until the final moments, Gabriel showcased the calm demeanour that characterised his record-setting college career. He finished the contest having completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards, registering two touchdowns and crucially avoiding any interceptions. His contribution led two scoring drives in the first half, putting the Browns ahead 10-7 at one point, and he connected with tight end David Njoku for a nine-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that briefly gave Cleveland a four-point lead.
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Despite the individual highlights, the team’s overall offensive output remained hampered by familiar shortcomings, particularly on third down. The Browns converted only three of 15 third-down opportunities, a failure rate that consistently stalled drives and placed undue pressure on the defence. One drive, following a defensive turnover, lasted a mere 11 seconds, a moment of inefficiency that analysts have pointed to as symptomatic of the team's broader rhythm problems in the final quarter. Speaking after the defeat, which was sealed when the Vikings scored the winning touchdown with just 25 seconds remaining in the game, Gabriel maintained a critical self-assessment. “There’s always something to build on. No moral victories whatsoever,” the rookie told reporters. He acknowledged the need for individual and collective improvement, noting, “Everybody has four to five plays they want back. Looking back, there’s things we can all clean up, and it starts with me. ” Coach Stefanski offered a measured perspective on his new starter’s audition, suggesting a balance of promise and inexperience was on display.
“There were some good things, some rookie things to certainly clean up,” Stefanski commented, confirming that the loss leaves the team with significant work to do ahead of their next fixture. The sentiment of optimism mixed with caution was echoed by players on both sides of the pitch. Four-time All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, a defensive pillar of the Browns franchise, praised the shift in energy the rookie brought. “He put us in a position to win,” Garrett stated, adding that Gabriel introduced “something different, a different flavour” to the team’s dynamics. On the opposing side, Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard commended the rookie’s game management. Greenard noted, “Ultimately, he didn’t do anything for them to lose the game… I’m pretty sure they told him ‘listen, just take what they give you, don’t create negative plays. ’ I think he did just that. The kid has a pretty good arm. He’s going to be good.
” Gabriel’s promotion has also been scrutinised in the context of the team’s other high-profile rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, who was relegated to the third-string role. While questions surrounding the team’s long-term plan remain, Gabriel’s initial outing has provided the team with a defined direction, at least temporarily. The performance in London provides Cleveland with a blueprint for moving forward, though the lack of a victory means the pressure to produce tangible results will continue to mount. Gabriel has demonstrated the necessary composure and playmaking ability, particularly outside the pocket, to run the offence, but the systemic issues—specifically the crippling third-down efficiency—will need rapid correction. The Browns now face a crucial divisional matchup next week as they travel to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. All focus will now shift to whether the coaching staff deems Gabriel’s debut impressive enough to warrant him retaining the starting job for the foreseeable future as they attempt to salvage their season. The search results also included a discussion from an industry analyst on telecommunications, which can be seen here: Heavy Reading's Gabriel Brown on O-RAN's progress and the challenges of SA 5G.
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