Cleveland Browns

Founding Years (1944–1949, AAFC dominance)

  • The Browns were founded in 1944 by businessman Arthur B. “Mickey” McBride, who hired legendary coach Paul Brown (after whom the team was named).

  • The team began play in 1946 in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

  • With star players like QB Otto Graham, RB Marion Motley, and WR Mac Speedie, the Browns dominated the AAFC, winning all four league championships (1946–1949).

  • The AAFC merged with the NFL in 1950, and the Browns joined along with the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts.

NFL Success (1950s–1960s)

  • In their first NFL season (1950), the Browns won the NFL Championship, beating the Los Angeles Rams.

  • They appeared in the NFL title game every year from 1950 to 1955, winning three championships (1950, 1954, 1955).

  • The 1960s brought another superstar: Jim Brown, arguably the greatest running back in NFL history.

  • With Brown leading the offense, the Browns won the 1964 NFL Championship, defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Colts 27–0. This remains the franchise’s last league championship.

  • Jim Brown retired abruptly in 1966 at the peak of his career.

Post-Merger Struggles (1970s–1980s)

  • After the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the Browns were placed in the AFC Central.

  • The 1970s were inconsistent, with brief playoff appearances but little success.

  • The 1980 season is remembered for the “Kardiac Kids,” led by QB Brian Sipe, known for thrilling late-game comebacks. The season ended in heartbreak with a playoff loss to the Raiders (“Red Right 88”).

  • In the mid-to-late 1980s, under coach Marty Schottenheimer and QB Bernie Kosar, the Browns became contenders again.

  • They reached three AFC Championship Games (1986, 1987, 1989) but lost all to John Elway’s Denver Broncos—two in especially painful fashion: “The Drive” (1986) and “The Fumble” (1987).

The Move to Baltimore (1990s)

  • The 1990s started poorly with inconsistent play and coaching changes.

  • In 1995, owner Art Modell announced he was moving the team to Baltimore (becoming the Ravens in 1996).

  • After intense backlash, a compromise was reached: Cleveland kept the Browns’ name, colors, and history, while Baltimore’s new team was considered an expansion franchise.

  • The Browns were officially “deactivated” from 1996–1998, with a promise of return.

Rebirth and Struggles (1999–2010s)

  • The Browns were reactivated as an expansion team in 1999 with new ownership.

  • They struggled to regain success, enduring constant coaching changes, front-office turmoil, and quarterback instability.

  • The highlight was a playoff appearance in 2002, but they lost a Wild Card thriller to the Steelers.

  • From 1999 through the 2010s, the Browns became a symbol of futility, posting multiple seasons with double-digit losses, including the infamous 0–16 season in 2017.

  • Despite struggles, the team maintained one of the NFL’s most loyal fan bases, the “Dawg Pound.”

Return to Competitiveness (2020s–Present)

  • In 2020, under coach Kevin Stefanski and QB Baker Mayfield, the Browns had their best season in decades, finishing 11–5 and winning their first playoff game since 1994 (beating the Steelers).

  • They narrowly lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.

  • The Browns later moved on from Mayfield and in 2022 traded for QB Deshaun Watson in a controversial blockbuster deal.

  • The defense, led by star pass rusher Myles Garrett, has been one of the best in the league.

  • In 2023, despite multiple QB injuries, Stefanski led the team back to the playoffs, where they lost to the Texans.

  • As of 2025, the Browns are viewed as a talented but still searching franchise, striving to win their first Super Bowl.

✅ Quick Facts:

  • Founded: 1946 (AAFC), joined NFL in 1950

  • Championships: 8 total (4 AAFC, 4 NFL pre-Super Bowl)

  • Super Bowls: 0 appearances

  • Legends: Paul Brown, Otto Graham, Jim Brown, Bernie Kosar, Ozzie Newsome, Lou Groza, Myles Garrett

 

Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings in the London Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, 5 October 2025

 

Game Details & Context

  • The Browns will host the Vikings in Week 5, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. BST at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — the only purpose-built NFL venue outside the U.S.

  • This game marks the Vikings’ second consecutive international matchup, following a historic Week 4 game in Dublin, Ireland — they’ll be the first team in NFL history to play back-to-back regular-season games in two different countries

Team Form & Key Storylines

Minnesota Vikings

  • Riding high off a 14–3 2024 season, the Vikings look to build momentum as they aim for back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2009.

  • Their rookie QB J.J. McCarthy, a first-round pick from Michigan, will lead the offence. Head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed strong confidence in McCarthy as the better fit over veteran Aaron Rodgers.

  • A season preview projects a 12–5 finish overall and expects the Vikings to win this London matchup despite the travel challenge

Cleveland Browns

  • Coming off a disappointing 3–14 season in 2024, the Browns are aiming to rebound under coach Kevin Stefanski.

  • The 2025 team saw roster turnover, including the addition of veteran QB Joe Flacco and WR Diontae Johnson.

  • With questions still lingering around their offence and cohesion, this London game offers an early test of their trajectory.

Odds & Betting Trends

  • The betting line shows a clear edge for the Vikings—initially at –6.5, it has widened to –7.5. Moneyline: Minnesota –400, Cleveland +280. Over/Under is 40.5

  • A Fox Sports snapshot places the spread at –7.0 for Minnesota, moneyline –333 and Browns +240, total at 41 points

  • A historical perspective suggests that London games tend to be one-sided. With key Browns defenders like Myles Garrett possibly out, analysts favour Minnesota to dominate  (though this referenced an earlier season, the trend is noteworthy).

Prediction & Analysis

Advantages for the Vikings:

  • Momentum & Confidence: Coming off a 14-win season, the Vikings are in a strong place and historically undefeated in London games

  • Stable Leadership: McCarthy’s familiarity with the offence (despite being a rookie) gives the team stability from the QB position.

  • Depth & Defence: Minnesota’s defence remains strong, and they’ve navigated international travel before.

Browns’ Challenges:

  • Rebuild in Progress: With coaching changes and a crowded QB room, the Browns may still be finding their rhythm.

  • London Fatigue: The logistics and mental preparation of playing overseas can be exceptionally testing—Cleveland hasn’t had much practice in that environment.

  • Sharp Vikings Odds: A spread nearing 7 points reflects both betting confidence and expert expectations.

 

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns Hospitality – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – NFL London 2025 No on sale