Daniel Oyefusi
The Cleveland Browns turned to rookie Dillon Gabriel in Week 5 in an try and jumpstart an anemic offense. And whereas the third-round decide threw a pair of touchdowns and took care of the ball in a efficiency that Browns coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned was stuffed with a “lot of positives,” related points surfaced for Cleveland's offense in a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, because the unit didn't eclipse 17 factors for the tenth straight sport, relationship to final season.
“Clearly can all the time be higher and definitely we as an offense must be higher and rating extra to assist this soccer workforce,” Stefanski mentioned Monday. “However for a younger participant in that setting versus that protection, to deal with the ball, make the performs he made, I assumed was plenty of positives with lots to wash up. And that is what he'll do, and that is the mentality he has is definitely to be a participant that continues to get higher week in and week out.”
Sunday's sport marked the primary all season that the Browns did not flip the ball over, which had plagued Cleveland in its first 4 begins below Joe Flacco. The 40-year-old veteran's eight turnovers had been essentially the most within the NFL earlier than he was benched.
With Gabriel making his first profession begin, the Browns opted for a extra conservative method that performed to the rookie's ability set as a fast processor and stored the ball out of hurt's manner.
Gabriel bought the ball out shortly and performed inside construction. His 2.54-second common time to throw was faster than Flacco's 2.85-second common time to throw and helped hold the offense on schedule, together with a working sport that accrued a season-high 140 yards.
However consequently, Gabriel did not push the ball downfield a lot, and he did not have nice success when doing so. Gabriel averaged 5.5 air yards per try, a tick decrease than the 6.7 air yards per try that Flacco averaged in his 4 begins. Gabriel was additionally 3 of 10 on passes that traveled not less than 10 air yards.
By 5 video games, the Browns have generated solely 10 go performs of not less than 20 yards, tied for tenth fewest within the league.
“It is all the time a product of the sport you are in, I'd let you know,” Stefanski mentioned. “We've plenty of religion in Dillon and our go receivers, whether or not that is from the large receivers, tight ends, working backs, you title it. We've plenty of confidence in our guys, so it is simply very depending on the workforce you are dealing with and what they're doing within the again finish.”
Gabriel struggled late because the offense stalled within the last quarter. He was pinpoint within the first half of Sunday's sport, because the Browns constructed a 10-7 lead, their first halftime lead since Week 12 of the 2024 season towards the Pittsburgh Steelers. By two quarters, Gabriel accomplished 13 of 21 passes, and he was astray on solely 4 of his makes an attempt, in line with ESPN Analysis. That accuracy waned within the second half, as Gabriel accomplished 6 of 12 passes and was astray on 45% of his passes.
absolute dot from Dillon!#MINvsCLE on NFL Community and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/izTOI0zoaS
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 5, 2025
The Vikings additionally stacked the field to cease Cleveland's working sport and the Browns, who held a 17-14 lead getting into the fourth quarter, failed to choose up a primary down on their first 4 possessions of the ultimate quarter.
“Being good in sure conditions, throwing the ball away,” Gabriel mentioned of his off-target passes. “I believe possibly a throw like which will appear to be a miscommunication, but additionally on the identical aspect, being good, understanding the state of affairs that we're in. What's extra vital, making an attempt to suit one thing in there or attending to play one other play?”
After an unorthodox week that noticed Gabriel journey abroad and turn out to be the primary quarterback to make his first begin in an Worldwide sport, the upcoming week may give Gabriel a bit extra continuity and time to get comfy forward of Sunday's street sport towards the Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS). So far as rising the offense round Gabriel, Stefanski mentioned it might be game-plan dependent however praised his work in his first week because the starter.
“Clearly, the week final week was distinctive,” Stefanski mentioned. “I assumed that Dillon and the blokes dealt with that wonderful, I do not suppose that had something to do with the plan and people kinds of issues. They had been very ready. However I believe it's extremely particular to your opponent might be the largest factor.”
