The Minnesota Vikings are looking to get back on the winning track against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Through four games, the Vikings have alternated between winning and losing each week. A win would put the Vikings at 3-2 heading into their bye week.

Injuries have played a large role in the Vikings’ first four games. They will likely be down three starters on Sunday, and backup left guard Blake Brandel could be forced to make the start at center because backup Michael Jurgens hasn’t practiced this week after suffering a hamstring injury.

Still, the Vikings are facing a Browns team that replaced Joe Flacco with rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. Minnesota will need to shut down the running game; otherwise, the Browns can keep the Vikings off balance with the same game plan that Pittsburgh used last Sunday.

Here are three key matchups to watch heading into Sunday’s game in London.

Christian Darrisaw (and company) vs Myles Garrett

The Browns may be 1-3, but no one has allowed fewer yards through four weeks than Cleveland. They are led by Myles Garrett, the four-time first-team All-Pro defensive end who won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.

Fortunately, he primarily lines up on the offense’s left side, meaning he will face franchise left tackle Christian Darrisaw. But even though Darrisaw is capable of holding his own, the Browns could take advantage of using twists and stunts to get Garrett isolated on members of the Vikings’ interior offensive line. Which leads to our next matchup…

The Vikings’ interior offensive line vs Maliek Collins

Garrett isn’t the only force on the Browns’ defensive line. Maliek Collins, the Browns’ 10-year veteran defensive tackle, is also a problem. He is PFF’s top-rated interior defensive lineman and is tied for seventh among those players with 13 pressures.

Collins could be facing Brandel at either left guard or center, a position Brandel has never played during a game. Even if Brandel can hold the position down, that could potentially thrust rookie undrafted free agent Joe Huber into the starting lineup at left guard. How the Vikings mask the mismatch will be interesting; otherwise, their offensive attack will be in shambles.

Jonathan Greenard vs the Browns’ tackles

Cleveland is hoping to get right tackle Jack Conklin back into the lineup. Conklin hasn’t played since Week 1, but he was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Still, he only potentially solves the tackle position.

Cornelius Lucas and KT Leveston have struggled. Lucas leads the league with 28 pressures allowed, and Leveston has a 24.1 pass-blocking grade from PFF. That should set up a big game for Jonathan Greenard, who primarily lines up on the offense’s left side. That should keep him away from Conklin even if he is back in the lineup.

Even though Greenard only has one sack so far this season, he leads the Vikings with 18 pressures. He will be key in getting pressure on Gabriel, as well as slowing a rushing attack that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is sure to emphasize early in the game.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 Matchups to watch in Vikings vs Browns in Week 5