In his first career start, Dillon Gabriel gave fans a glimpse of what he can do, even in a close loss to the Minnesota Vikings, 21-17, in London.
Things started out shaky for the Vikings when fans noticed that wide receiver Jordan Addison didn’t join the team until the second quarter due to a coach’s decision. There was no explanation at that time. However, Addison made his presence known by catching the game-winning touchdown pass from Carson Wentz with just 30 seconds left on the clock.
Gabriel maintained composure despite the pressure. He completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and threw two touchdowns. A strong running game helped out. Quinshon Judkins had a standout performance, rushing 23 times for 110 yards. His potential score was thwarted by a holding penalty, which disappointed fans.
Gabriel’s first touchdown came on a clever play at the 1-yard line. After faking a handoff to Judkins, he tossed the ball to rookie Harold Fannin Jr. for an easy score. Later, he delivered a more challenging touchdown to tight end David Njoku, threading the needle in a tight spot with three defenders closing in.
Despite these highlights, the Browns struggled to pull ahead. Wentz briefly left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury but returned and didn’t seem affected. The Vikings also faced challenges, including an injury that sidelined running back Jordan Mason temporarily.
In a tense moment near the end of the game, the Vikings attempted to tie it with a field goal. However, Will Reichard missed a 51-yard attempt, keeping the Browns slightly ahead. Wentz responded with clutch throws, including a 21-yard pass to Justin Jefferson. Jefferson ended the game as the leading receiver with seven catches for 123 yards.
With only seven seconds left, Gabriel made two impressive throws to set up a Hail Mary attempt. Unfortunately, one of his receivers couldn’t step out of bounds to stop the clock, allowing the Vikings to secure their victory.
This thrilling matchup highlights the ups and downs of rookie performances in high-stakes situations. Gabriel showed promise, suggesting he may have a bright future ahead in the league. As football fans tune in to similar games, they can expect more surprises and emotional finishes like this one.
For more insights on player performances and game highlights, you can check out Yahoo Sports.
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Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Carson Wentz, Dillon Gabriel, touchdown pass, Jordan Addison, the Browns, Quinshon Judkins, David Njoku, Jordan Mason, Harold Fannin Jr., Justin Jefferson, Isaiah Bond, Jamari Thrash, Max Brosmer, Will Reichard















