Set your alarm and begin brewing the coffee. The Minnesota Vikings (2-2) and Cleveland Browns (1-3) will duke it out in London at 9:30 a.m. ET to kick off the NFL’s Week 5 Sunday slate. The exciting showdown marks the 40th NFL game played in the capital of England and the 11th to take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
There are a ton of ways for bettors to get in on the action for this contest. Here's a look at our three NFL Week 5 best bets that stick out to me on Sunday morning.
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NFL Week 5 Best Bets: Vikings vs. Browns
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Quinshon Judkins Over 75.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
It’s safe to say Quinshon Judkins has locked down Cleveland’s No. 1 running back spot. The rookie out of Ohio State has averaged 88 yards on 19.5 carries across his past two performances. Backups Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson totaled only three carries in that same span. Judkins’ bruising style is built on determination and grit. After all, he has racked up the eighth-most yards after contact among NFL running backs (152) despite missing opening week.
Minnesota has allowed three opposing ball-carriers to tally 76+ yards in four clashes. That includes when Pittsburgh’s Kenneth Gainwell logged 99 yards on 19 carries last Sunday. It’s a trend that has carried over from 2024 as the Vikings allowed a 76-yard rusher in four of their final six games (including playoffs). Expect the Browns to lean on the ground attack as Judkins cruises beyond this mark for the third straight contest.
Adam Thielen Under 8.5 Receiving Yards (-108)
Wide receiver Jordan Addison was on the field for 96% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps in Week 4 as he recorded 114 yards on four catches. His return from suspension provided a boost to the passing scheme, but it also decreased Adam Thielen’s role. The 12th-year pro was on the field for 16% of the snaps and ran 12 routes on quarterback Carson Wentz’s 54 dropbacks. Overall, four catches through four outings are subpar, to say the least.
Thielen now sits firmly as the No. 4 WR on the depth chart and draws a tough matchup. Cleveland has conceded the third-fewest passing completions (16.8) and the fourth-fewest passing yards (152.3) per game. The fact that the Browns have trailed by double digits in each of their previous three contests influenced those stats. A similar lead from the Vikings would spell disaster for Thielen, as the offense shifts to the run to chew the clock.
Minnesota Vikings D/ST Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+500)
The Browns are pivoting to rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel following their uninspiring 1-3 start. The third-round pick is known for recording the most collegiate starts in FBS history (63). However, the NFL is an entirely different beast from the NCAA. That experience goes out the door when staring down Pro Bowl defenders like linebacker Jonathan Greenard and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. Facing Minnesota is a tough first battle.
That is because defensive coordinator Brian Flores isn’t afraid to bring the heat. The Vikings blitz at the fourth-highest rate (35.8%) and pressure the quarterback at the second-highest rate (31.7%) in the league. One blindside hit could cause a fumble, or one tipped pass could cause an interception. I’ll go out on a limb for a big payout by backing the Vikings’ defense to return a takeaway to the end zone. It’s a unit that has already done it twice this year.
