Vikings Edge Browns in Thrilling London Showdown – Week 5 NFL 2025

When Carson Wentz, quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, engineered a last‑second drive on Oct 5, 2025, the NFL London GameLondon turned into a nail‑biter that left the crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gasping.

International Series: Why London Matters

The NFL’s International Series, launched in 2007, has turned London into a second home for the league. 2025’s Week 5 clash marked the ninth regular‑season game on English soil, and with an attendance of roughly 68,000 fans, the atmosphere felt more like a playoff than a mid‑season match. The league hopes the spectacle fuels both merchandise sales overseas and a pipeline of talent from Europe.

Game Recap: From Browns Lead to Vikings Victory

Early in the third quarter, the Cleveland Browns grabbed a 24‑21 lead when kicker Mike Schmidt nailed a 31‑yard field goal with 2:13 left on the clock. The kick sailed straight through the uprights, momentarily silencing the Vikings’ sideline.

Instead of flinching, Wentz, who had already thrown for 215 yards, orchestrated a decisive drive. On a crucial third‑and‑seven, he connected with rookie wideout Jordan Addison for a 12‑yard gain, setting up a first‑down. Two plays later, a 9‑yard run by Alexander Mattison brought the ball to the one‑yard line.

The final play saw Wentz launch a quick slant to Jeff Gladney, who dove into the end zone as the clock hit zero. The conversion gave the Vikings a 27‑24 victory, and the stadium erupted.

Key Performances and Turning Points

• Carson Wentz finished with 279 passing yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions, posting a passer rating of 108.
• Veteran safety Byron Murphy recorded a game‑changing sack on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the Browns’ late‑drive.
• Browns tight end David Njoku showcased his athleticism with a 15‑yard catch inside the Vikings’ ten‑yard line, but a dropped ball on the next play cost Cleveland a potential go‑ahead score.
• Defensive back Jeff Okudah delivered the game‑sealing play, tripping a Vikings runner at the 5‑yard line and forcing the clock to run out.

Reactions from the Field and the Booth

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell praised his offense’s composure: “We knew the Browns could pull off a big kick, but our guys stayed patient. Carson’s poise in that final drive was everything.” Browns’ defensive coordinator Mike Priefer admitted the loss hurt: “We gave ourselves a chance with that field goal, but a single missed block on the last play cost us.”

Analysts on The Ringer’s pre‑game show – Cousin Sal, John Jastremski and guest Anthony Dabbundo – had predicted a close affair, noting both teams’ “high‑powered offenses and resilient defenses.” Their gut‑check bet on a Vikings win proved prescient, and the post‑game odds swung dramatically, with betting volume on the Vikings spiking 42 % after the final seconds.

What This Means for the Rest of 2025

With a 4‑1 record now, Minnesota climbs to the top of the NFC North and sits within striking distance of a playoff berth. The win also gives the Vikings a morale boost ahead of a week‑seven showdown against the division rival Detroit Lions.

For Cleveland, the loss drops them to 3‑2, leaving the AFC North battle tighter than ever. Coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized the need to bounce back, citing the team’s “clutch field‑goal unit” as a silver lining.

Looking Ahead: International Series Continues

The NFL has already announced two more overseas games for the 2025 season – a matchup in Mexico City on Dec 3 and a historic debut in Dubai slated for Jan 12, 2026. The London victory underscores how crucial these fixtures are for expanding the league’s brand and testing teams in unfamiliar environments.