Kevin Stefanski was Vikings coach Mike Zimmer's offensive coordinator in 2019. That year the Vikings went 10-6 and defeated the Saints in an NFC wild-card game before losing to the 49ers. (Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns scouting report: Minnesota Vikings
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Browns v. Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 1 p.m., U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Record: 1-2.
Last game: Defeated Seattle Seahawks, 30-17, Sept. 26, in Minneapolis.
Coach: Mike Zimmer, 67-52-1, eighth year.
Series record: Vikings lead, 12-4 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Vikings won, 33-16, Oct. 29, 2017, in London, England.
League rankings: Offense is third overall (sixth rushing, seventh passing), defense is 28th overall (20th rushing, 27th passing) and turnover differential is plus-1.
Things to watch
1. After losing twice on the road by 3 points and then 1 point, the Vikings put together what Zimmer called the best offensive performance in his eight years as head coach in beating Seattle, 30-17, in their home opener. And they did it without franchise back Dalvin Cook, who sat out with an ankle injury. The offense is averaging 25 first downs and 425 yards a game. Quarterback Kirk Cousins learned this offense under Kyle Shanahan in Washington in his rookie season of 2012. Cousins, 33, is off to the best start of his 10-year career, completing 73.9 percent of his passes, with 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions and a passer rating of 118.3.
2. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, son of Gary Kubiak, was quarterbacks coach under former OC Kevin Stefanski in 2019. The system is similar to that of the Browns with one major exception – the Vikings are bereft of tight end talent and have morphed into a three-receiver offense featuring Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn. They have combined for 55 receptions, 628 yards and 7 touchdowns.
3. Like any potent offense, the foundation has been the offensive line. What’s surprising is it has been formidable despite no contributions from two high rookie draft choices rehabbing injuries – left tackle Christian Darrisaw (first round) and former OSU guard Wyatt Davis (third round).
4. As always, Zimmer is in charge of his defense. After a disastrous 2020, it has been fortified by the return to health of defensive end Danielle Hunter (4 sacks) and linebacker Eric Kendricks, and additions such as tackles Delvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce, cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Xavier Woods to pair up with five-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith. The Vikings brought back end Everson Griffen and tackle Sheldon Richrdson for depth on their defensive line. One player missed is four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr, who hasn’t played since tearing a pectoral muscle in the second game last year.
Did you know … ?
1. Greg Joseph – one of nine kickers the Browns have tried to replace Phil Dawson since 2012 – missed a 37-yard field goal to beat Arizona on the game’s final play. Zimmer doesn’t suffer kickers well, but Joseph had earned equity with two 52-yard field goals in the same game and one from 53 yards in Cincinnati to send that game into overtime. Joseph rebounded from his game-losing miss with three field goals and three PATs in the win over Seattle.
2. The Vikings made a bold move when they traded talented yet malcontent wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills prior to the 2020 draft. But they haven’t missed him because of Justin Jefferson. Drafted with the No. 1 pick acquired from the Bills, Jefferson had a sensational rookie year, nearly matching Diggs’ elite production in Buffalo. Jefferson had 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and 7 touchdowns; Diggs had 127 receptions for 1,535 yards and 8 TD for the Bills. Through three games this season, Jefferson is at 20, 254, 2 and Diggs is at 19, 191, 1.
3. Running back Dalvin Cook was the 41st overall pick of the 2017 draft. Nick Chubb of the Browns was the 35th overall pick of the 2018 draft. Since 2019, Cook has 30 rushing TDs; Chubb has 23. Cook has 2,884 rushing yards; Chubb has 2,823. Cook has 3,824 total yards from scrimmage; Chubb has 3,272.
4. Nine members of the Browns coaching staff have worked for the Vikings. They are: head coach Kevin Stefanski (2006-19), defensive coordinator Joe Woods (2006-13), special teams coordinator Mike Priefer (2011-18), defensive backs coach Jeff Howard (2013-19), wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea (2006-08), defensive quality control coach Stephen Bravo-Brown (2018), assistant defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch (2013), tight ends coach Drew Petzing (2014-19), and senior offensive assistant Kevin Rogers (2006-10).
Small world: Kicker Greg Joseph was with the Browns in 2018 … Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson played for the Browns 2019-20 and was given the Dino Lucarelli Good Guy Award by the Cleveland chapter of the Professional Football Writers of America in 2019 … Receivers coach Keenan McCardell played for the Browns 1992-95 … Assistant head coach/defensive line coach Andre Patterson was Browns defensive line coach 2003-04 … Running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu had the same position with the Browns in 2004.
