If you don’t have high expectations for a competitive football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns this Sunday we can totally understand that. The game will be making history this weekend in all of the wrong ways.
According to ProFootballTalk, fans are so convinced that the game will be a low-scoring affair that the over/under has been set at a mere 36.5 points. That’s the lowest mark of the season and it’s unlikely that there will be a lower one for a while.
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The previous low mark this season was the season-opening Jets-Steelers game, which people were understandably convinced would be a low-scoring game since both teams had anemic offenses the year before. The over/under in that one was 38 points.
Though it’s worth pointing out that the Jets-Steelers game hit the over with relative ease. Both teams scored over 30 points in one of the best days for offensive output that either one has had in a long while.
That being said, there are a ton of reasons that fans are not expecting many points to be scored.
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Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
State of the Browns
This past week the Cleveland Browns made the decision to bench starting quarterback Joe Flacco and insert rookie QB Dillon Gabriel into the starting lineup vs. Minnesota. The decision from head coach Kevin Stefanski was promptly met with objection as fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders did not also see a bump up the depth chart.
In the days since the announcement was made, Sanders has seemingly become a talking point for the Browns again despite him being just a QB3.
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State of the Vikings
The Vikings managed to score their first win without starting QB J.J. McCarthy in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. But that was promptly followed by a frustrating loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Backup quarterback Carson Wentz is going to get the starting nod this week but could find his effectiveness limited by the Browns’ defense, which ranks No. 1 in fewest yards allowed.
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The Cleveland Browns seem unlikely to make a real run at the AFC North title in spite of the Baltimore Ravens’ current struggles and the Cincinnati Bengals missing QB Joe Burrow. But if they can spring the home upset over the Vikings, they’ll only be two games game from the Steelers, a team they have yet to face.
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The Vikings are -3.5 heading into the game.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Oct 2, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.