Backup quarterback extraordinaire Carson Wentz will start for a third straight week for the Minnesota Vikings as they travel to London to take on the Cleveland Browns. J.J. McCarthy remains on the injury report with an ankle ailment, as NFL insider Tom Pelissero confirmed that he will be out for Sunday’s game.
Pelissero also reported that the Vikings will be without offensive linemen Ryan Kelly, Brian O’Neill, Michael Jurgens and Donovan Jackson for Sunday’s game.
Wentz has played the last two weeks for Minnesota as McCarthy has been sidelined, leading the Vikings to a huge 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals before he was thwarted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in week four.
Wentz’s stats are far better than McCarthy’s this season with both having played two games. Wentz has thrown for 523 yards and four touchdowns in his two starts, good for a QBR of 98.2. Comparatively, McCarthy completed just 24 of his 41 passes with two touchdowns and three interceptions for a QBR of 67.2.
Both QB’s have a record of 1-1 this season. Wentz will look to make that 2-1 as his Vikings are favored by three and a half points against the unpredictable Browns.
Wentz Looks To Propel Vikings To Win Across The Pond
Wentz’s main concern heading into Sunday’s game will be evading Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who was just cleared for the week five contest after there was some concern when he was added to the injury report earlier this week.
One of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL is on a sack per game pace through four weeks. With a depleted O-line, Minnesota needs to scheme up plays with extra protection from Garrett as he’ll be looking to feast against backups. Wentz isn’t nearly as mobile as he once was, so finding ways to give him time to breathe in the pocket will be key for the Vikings.
Healthy Receiver Group Heading Into Sunday
Wentz will have his full arsenal of weapons to work with on Sunday. Minnesota has been uncharacteristically stingy with it’s targets, as only two receivers have more than 10 receptions so far in Justin Jefferson (22) and T.J. Hockenson (13). Heading down the depth chart, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and Adam Thielen have just 16 receptions combined.
Jefferson entered week four with just 12 receptions through three weeks, a minuscule number compared to how heavily he’s been targeted through his career. He exploded in week four however, catching 10-of-11 targets for 126 yards.
Wentz will have to look to spread the ball around more against a Browns secondary that has allowed a couple of big scores against them. Jefferson will likely be guarded by perennial pro-bowler Denzel Ward, which should theoretically leave Addison, Nailor and Thielen to deal with manageable matchups.
Hockenson has also been a key factor for the Vikings and will definitely be heavily targeted on Sunday.
Vikings-Browns kicks off at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 5, giving all of us football fanatics our fix before the one o’clock window.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings Make Final Decision on Starting QB for Browns Game in London appeared first on Heavy Sports.