The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up to face the Cleveland Browns in a highly anticipated matchup scheduled for 9:30 a.m. (ET) on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s the second consecutive international game for the Vikings. Though they do have the unique challenge of being away from home, Coach Kevin O’Connell approaches the week as a “normal week process” on that end.
On the ground, the team is currently working out of the Hanbury Manor Marriott hotel. Behind the scenes, coaches are quietly working on intricately detailed game plans. Interestingly, many players have opted to stay in the same rooms they occupied during their previous trip to London in 2022. All this familiarity allows players to easily make the jump from one environment to the other. It empowers them to adapt quickly to the unique challenges of playing internationally.
O’Connell said one of the key goals in creating urban planning week is to provide a sense of normalcy amidst this chaotic time. He understood the challenges of being unable to sleep while not in a home setting. More than that, he said, these details are irrelevant when it comes to what really matters—preparation—for any given game.
“It should feel as normal as possible to our guys while dealing with not sleeping in your own bed and all that stuff, but that’s kind of little stuff to me.” – Coach Kevin O’Connell
Vikings getting ready for this key division battle. They are currently dealing with plenty of injury issues, which could have serious implications on their play come Sunday. The team is down three key offensive linemen: Brian O’Neill, Ryan Kelly, and Donovan Jackson. O’Neill is currently on the mend from an MCL sprain he incurred in last Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kelly is currently receiving care through concussion protocol. In addition, Jackson is out for at least one more week after undergoing surgery on his left wrist.
J.J. McCarthy made his return to practice! …after having missed two weeks due to a high right ankle sprain. His return, if it happens, would be a huge boost for the Vikings. They’re chomping at the bit to get into a rhythm vs. the Browns.
Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is still working his way back to a full recovery from his neck injury. He will not practice this week and therefore will miss the next game.
Despite these setbacks, General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff are actively seeking to bolster the team by adding a player to the roster before the game against Cleveland.
O’Connell remains optimistic about his team’s resilience in facing these challenges. The coach smiled when reminiscing about the comedic scene. A bird flying into his hotel room as a lucky omen and literally setting him up with a comic relief before the bombarded practice and pressure.
“It was very small, and it did not understand. It had to fly out the same window it came in, but it just kept hitting the window over and over again. It was a nice wakeup call.” – Coach Kevin O’Connell
With kickoff rapidly approaching, the Vikings are finalizing their game plan. They are equally adjusting to the distinct atmosphere that comes with playing in London. With a blend of experience from their previous trip and an understanding of the local conditions, they aim to deliver a strong performance against the Browns.
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