Final2021 Week 4

U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Cleveland Browns vs Minnesota Vikings, Week 4 2021

Cleveland Browns

AwayWon

14

Minnesota Vikings

Home

7

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Browns0110314
Vikings70007

CLE 14MIN 7 Final

  • Passing leader

    Kirk Cousins

    MIN · QB

    11.1PPR pts

    20/38, 203 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Justin Jefferson

    MIN · WR

    20.4PPR pts

    6 REC, 84 YDS, 1 TD

  • Vikings leader

    Adam Thielen

    MIN · WR

    7.6PPR pts

    3 REC, 46 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Greedy Williams

    CLE

    1 INT, 6 TKL

Browns 14, Vikings 7: Cleveland beats Minnesota

Cleveland led 11–7 at halftime and outscored Minnesota 3–0 after the break to win 14–7. The Browns finished with a 327–255 edge in total offense and averaged 4.4 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Vikings went 5-for-16 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Browns kept the ball for 35:32 and finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

  • +0.4 yards/play CLE 4.4 · MIN 4.0
  • +1 turnover margin CLE 0 turnovers
  • +72 total yards CLE 327 · MIN 255

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Browns Won

Cleveland won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Browns vs Vikings
BrownsStatVikings
4.4Yards per play4.0
0Turnovers1
327Total yards255
Other team stats
74Plays63
39%Third-down conversion31%
35:32Time of possession24:28

Scoring Summary

The Browns scored one touchdown and two field goals; the Vikings scored one touchdown.

Scoring plays, Browns vs Vikings
TimeTeamPlayCLEMIN
1st quarter
7:26MINKirk Cousins → Justin Jefferson, 12-yard TD Takes leadGreg Joseph XP07
2nd quarter
1:16CLEKareem Hunt 1-yard TD run Takes leadBaker Mayfield → Andy Janovich, 2-pt conversion87
0:02CLEChase McLaughlin 48-yard FG Extends lead117
3rd quarter
No scoring
4th quarter
6:16CLEChase McLaughlin 53-yard FG Extends lead147

Fantasy Points: Browns vs Vikings, Week 4 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Justin JeffersonMINWR20.4 PTSWR9
  2. Kareem HuntCLERB16.6 PTSRB16
  3. Nick ChubbCLERB11.5 PTSRB27
  4. Kirk CousinsMINQB11.1 PTSQB26

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Kirk CousinsMINQB11.1QB2620/382031120066.0Start/Sit →
Baker MayfieldCLEQB9.3QB2915/3315500211059.5Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Justin JeffersonMINWR20.4WR9WR———76841Start/Sit →
Kareem HuntCLERB16.6RB16RB1469142170
Nick ChubbCLERB11.5RB27RB2110001150
Rashard HigginsCLEWR10.3WR47WR———74630
Adam ThielenMINWR7.6WR63WR———83460
K.J. OsbornMINWR6.6WR68WR110073260Start/Sit →
Dalvin CookMINRB6.4RB47RB934062100
Tyler ConklinMINTE5.8TE28TE———64180Start/Sit →
Odell BeckhamCLEWR5.1WR78WR14072270
David NjokuCLETE3.7TE37TE———22170
Demetric FeltonCLERB3.2RB56RB———22120
Dede WestbrookMINWR2.7WR95WR———11170
Austin HooperCLETE2.1TE43TE———51110Start/Sit →
Alexander MattisonMINRB2.0RB64RB10200————
Harrison BryantCLETE1.3TE57TE———2130
Ameer AbdullahMINRB1.2RB67RB———1120Start/Sit →
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR0.0—WR———1000

Fantasy Usage

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. Odell BeckhamWR62 snaps79%
  2. Austin HooperTE56 snaps72%
  3. David NjokuTE52 snaps67%
  4. Donovan Peoples-JonesWR46 snaps59%
  5. Rashard HigginsWR41 snaps53%

Target Share31 targets

  1. Odell Beckham23%, 7 targets
  2. Rashard Higgins23%, 7 targets
  3. Austin Hooper16%, 5 targets
  4. Kareem Hunt13%, 4 targets
  5. David Njoku6%, 2 targets
  6. Other19%, 6 targets

Carry Share38 carries

  1. Nick Chubb55%, 21 carries
  2. Kareem Hunt37%, 14 carries
  3. Baker Mayfield5%, 2 carries
  4. Odell Beckham3%, 1 carries

Minnesota Vikings

Snap Share

  1. Adam ThielenWR66 snaps99%
  2. Justin JeffersonWR59 snaps88%
  3. Tyler ConklinTE57 snaps85%
  4. K.J. OsbornWR42 snaps63%
  5. Dalvin CookRB33 snaps49%

Target Share36 targets

  1. Adam Thielen22%, 8 targets
  2. Justin Jefferson19%, 7 targets
  3. K.J. Osborn19%, 7 targets
  4. Dalvin Cook17%, 6 targets
  5. Tyler Conklin17%, 6 targets
  6. Other6%, 2 targets

Carry Share22 carries

  1. Alexander Mattison45%, 10 carries
  2. Dalvin Cook41%, 9 carries
  3. Kirk Cousins9%, 2 carries
  4. K.J. Osborn5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Adam ThielenMINWR6699%822%0
Justin JeffersonMINWR5988%719%0
Tyler ConklinMINTE5785%617%0
Odell BeckhamCLEWR6279%723%1
Austin HooperCLETE5672%516%0
David NjokuCLETE5267%26%0
K.J. OsbornMINWR4263%719%1
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR4659%00%0
Rashard HigginsCLEWR4153%723%0
Kareem HuntCLERB4153%413%14
Dalvin CookMINRB3349%617%9
Nick ChubbCLERB3747%13%21
Harrison BryantCLETE2937%26%0
Alexander MattisonMINRB2334%00%10
Ben EllefsonMINTE1421%00%0
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR1519%13%0
Dede WestbrookMINWR812%13%0
Chris HerndonMINTE710%00%0
Demetric FeltonCLERB68%26%0
Ameer AbdullahMINRB57%13%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+8.6Justin Jefferson20.4 PTS vs 11.8 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−9.5Dalvin Cook6.4 PTS vs 15.9 xFP
  • Highest expected volume18.0 xFPKirk Cousins11.1 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Kirk CousinsMIN · QB11.118.0−6.9100%38 att—3829%00%
Dalvin CookMIN · RB6.415.9−9.549%39% car—0939%617%
Baker MayfieldCLE · QB9.315.8−6.5100%33 att—3325%00%
Kareem HuntCLE · RB16.615.7+0.953%37% car—01437%413%
Nick ChubbCLE · RB11.515.2−3.747%55% car—02155%13%
Adam ThielenMIN · WR7.613.5−5.999%22% tgt—000%822%
K.J. OsbornMIN · WR6.612.4−5.863%19% tgt—014%719%
Odell Beckham Jr.CLE · WR5.112.4−7.379%23% tgt—013%723%
Justin JeffersonMIN · WR20.411.8+8.688%19% tgt—000%719%
Rashard HigginsCLE · WR10.311.8−1.553%23% tgt—000%723%
Tyler ConklinMIN · TE5.810.1−4.385%17% tgt—000%617%
Austin HooperCLE · TE2.18.4−6.372%16% tgt—000%516%
Alexander MattisonMIN · RB2.06.4−4.434%43% car—01043%00%
David NjokuCLE · TE3.73.4+0.367%6% tgt—000%26%
Demetric FeltonCLE · RB3.23.4−0.28%6% tgt—000%26%
Harrison BryantCLE · TE1.33.4−2.137%6% tgt—000%26%
Ameer AbdullahMIN · RB1.21.7−0.57%3% tgt—000%13%
Anthony SchwartzCLE · WR0.01.7−1.719%3% tgt—000%13%
Dede WestbrookMIN · WR2.71.7+1.012%3% tgt—000%13%
C.J. HamMIN · RB0.10.6−0.5—4% car—014%00%

Team totals: Browns 31 targets and 38 carries; Vikings 36 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Baker Mayfield Unlucky

CLE · QB · 9.3 pts on 15.8 expected

15 of 33 passing for 155 yards; 2 carries for 11 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.8 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Kirk Cousins Unlucky

MIN · QB · 11.1 pts on 18.0 expected

20 of 38 passing for 203 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 2 carries for 0 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Kirk Cousins →

Kareem Hunt

CLE · RB · 16.6 pts on 15.7 expected

4 targets (13% of the team's), 2 catches for 17 yards; 14 carries (37% of the team's) for 69 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.7 expected.

Nick Chubb

CLE · RB · 11.5 pts on 15.2 expected

1 target (3% of the team's), 1 catch for 5 yards; 21 carries (55% of the team's) for 100 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.2 expected.

Dalvin Cook Unlucky

MIN · RB · 6.4 pts on 15.9 expected

6 targets (17% of the team's), 2 catches for 10 yards; 9 carries (39% of the team's) for 34 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.9 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Adam Thielen Unlucky

MIN · WR · 7.6 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (22% of the team's), 3 catches for 46 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

K.J. Osborn Unlucky

MIN · WR · 6.6 pts on 12.4 expected

7 targets (19% of the team's), 3 catches for 26 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 10 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 12.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: K.J. Osborn →

Odell Beckham Jr. Unlucky

CLE · WR · 5.1 pts on 12.4 expected

7 targets (23% of the team's), 2 catches for 27 yards; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for 4 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 12.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: Kareem Hunt led the backfield with 53% of the snaps after trailing Nick Chubb before this game.
  • Stock up: Odell Beckham Jr. played 79% of the snaps, up from a 64% season average.
  • Stock down: Nick Chubb lost the backfield lead: 47% of the snaps to Kareem Hunt's 53%.

Minnesota Vikings

  • Stock down: Dalvin Cook played 49% of the snaps, down from a 74% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Browns defense and Vikings defense
Points allowed toBrowns DVikings D
QBs16.718.5
RBs21.524.5
WRs28.640.5
TEs12.610.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Minnesota opened at 47% win probability and fell below 2% in the fourth quarter.

Vikings win probability

Vikings win probability by game minuteVikings started at 47%, stood at 32% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 4 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +21Cousins → Jefferson, 12-yd TD47% → 69%Q1 7:26
  2. −31Hunt 1-yd TD run75% → 44%Q2 1:16
  3. −12McLaughlin 48-yd FG44% → 32%Q2 0:02
  4. −12McLaughlin 53-yd FG17% → 5%Q4 6:16

Swing in Vikings win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Browns vs Vikings
Cleveland BrownsMeasureMinnesota Vikings
74Plays63
49%Pass rate63%
4.0Yds / dropback4.8
4.8Yds / carry2.8
7/18Third downs5/16

Efficiency edge Cleveland ran 11 more plays and gained 2.0 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • CLE Beckham 23% · Higgins 23% · Hooper 16%
  • MIN Thielen 22% · Jefferson 19% · Osborn 19%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Browns vs Vikings
ResultCLEMIN
Touchdowns11
Field goals20
Punts76
Turnovers01
Turnovers on downs12

CLE turnover edge: +1

  • The Vikings opened the scoring on their first possession, a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
All 23 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
MINQ1 15:0014757:34Touchdown
CLEQ1 7:2615577:37Downs
MINQ2 14:49311:01Punt
CLEQ2 13:48361:36Punt
MINQ2 12:127342:17Downs
CLEQ2 9:5518648:39Touchdown
MINQ2 1:16300:31Punt
CLEQ2 0:458340:43Field goal
MINQ2 0:021-10:02End of half
CLEQ3 15:00372:12Punt
MINQ3 12:483-22:07Punt
CLEQ3 10:416273:59Punt
MINQ3 6:42352:00Punt
CLEQ3 4:425183:30Punt
MINQ3 1:128414:01Punt
CLEQ4 12:11321:04Punt
MINQ4 11:07341:22Punt
CLEQ4 9:457363:29Field goal
MINQ4 6:16100:08Interception
CLEQ4 6:085322:23Punt
MINQ4 3:458552:24Downs
CLEQ4 1:21350:20Punt
MINQ4 1:019461:01End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Browns vs Vikings Head-to-Head

The Browns and Vikings first met in 1965 and have played 18 times since.

All-time series
13–5Vikings lead, 18 meetings since 1965
Postseason
1–0Vikings won in 1969
Largest Browns win
14–72021
Largest Vikings win
51–31969

Since 2021

1–1 Series tied

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Browns win, V = Vikings win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Browns vs Vikings
BrownsStatVikings
8-9Record8-9
20.5Points per game25.0
340.6Yards per game362.8
5.5Yards per play5.7
21.8Points allowed per game25.1
311.5Yards allowed per game383.6

Browns vs Vikings Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
CLE −1Browns covered by 6
Total
51.5Under: 21 points scored (by 30.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Browns26.314−12.3
Vikings25.37−18.3

Both offenses finished under the market's expectation, which matches the low fantasy output in the Fantasy tab.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Cleveland Browns

Against the spread
3–1
Over/under
2–2
ATS as favorite
2–1
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS on the road
2–0

Minnesota Vikings

Against the spread
2–2
Over/under
2–2
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
2–1
ATS at home
1–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Browns and Vikings in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Brown or a Viking, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Browns vs Vikings Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Browns vs Vikings Week 4 game?

The Cleveland Browns beat the Minnesota Vikings 14–7 in Week 4 of the 2021 season. The game was played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN, on October 3, 2021. See the Browns' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Browns vs Vikings?

The final score was Browns 14, Vikings 7. The Browns led 11–7 at halftime, and the second half went Browns 3, Vikings 0.

What happened in the Browns vs Vikings game?

Cleveland led 11–7 at halftime and outscored Minnesota 3–0 after the break to win 14–7. The Browns finished with a 327–255 edge in total offense and averaged 4.4 yards per play. Justin Jefferson led all players with 6 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings committed 1 turnover, the Browns none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Browns vs Vikings?

Justin Jefferson led the game with 20.4 PPR fantasy points, the WR9 of Week 4, on 6 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kareem Hunt was next with 16.6 (RB16). See Justin Jefferson's 2021 game log.

Who led Browns vs Vikings in passing, rushing and receiving?

Kirk Cousins (MIN) led all passers with 20 of 38 for 203 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Nick Chubb (CLE) led in rushing with 21 carries for 100 yards. Justin Jefferson (MIN) led in receiving with 6 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Justin Jefferson score against the Browns?

Justin Jefferson scored 20.4 points in PPR leagues, 17.4 in half-PPR and 14.4 in standard scoring against the Browns in Week 4 of the 2021 season, on 6 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Browns vs Vikings?

Justin Jefferson outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 20.4 PPR points on 11.8 xFP (+8.6). Dalvin Cook fell furthest short, with 6.4 points on 15.9 xFP (−9.5). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Browns beat the Vikings?

The Browns beat the Vikings 14–7 because they averaged 4.4 yards per play to 4.0, won the turnover battle 1–0, and outgained them 327–255.

Which team won the turnover battle in Browns vs Vikings?

The Browns won the turnover battle 1–0: the Vikings gave the ball away 1 time and the Browns not at all. The Browns won the game.

What is the all-time Browns vs Vikings record?

The Vikings lead the all-time series 13–5 across 18 meetings since 1965, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Browns and Vikings last play before this game?

Before Week 4 of 2021, they last met in the 2017 season on October 29, 2017, when the Vikings beat the Browns 33–16.

Have the Browns and Vikings met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 1969 playoffs. The Browns are 0–1 against the Vikings in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Browns vs Vikings?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Browns −1, making the Cleveland Browns 1-point favorites, with a closing total of 51.5. That implied about 26.3 points for the Browns and 25.3 for the Vikings.

Did Browns vs Vikings go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 51.5, and the teams combined for 21 points, 30.5 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Browns vs Vikings?

The Browns covered by 6 against the closing line of Browns −1. The final margin was 7 points.