Minnesota Vikings keep rolling despite injury issues

The Minnesota Vikings have won four straight games, and what should scare the rest of the NFC North is they are not even healthy.

Backup quarterback Case Keenum led the way Sunday when the Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 33-16 in London. He threw two touchdown passes making his third straight start while Sam Bradford continues to mend from a knee injury.

Rookie running back Dalvin Cook still leads the Vikings (6-2) in rushing even though he has been on injured reserve since suffering a knee injury in the fourth game. Jerick McKinnon, who had a 1-yard run and 50 yards rushing against the Browns, along with Latavius Murray, have filled the void.

Starting right tackle Mike Remmers had to leave the game against the Browns with a concussion. Rashod Hill took his spot. The end result was the Browns, a strong defensive team despite the 0-8 record, sacked Keenum only once.

"We had a patchwork line in there today with Mike going down," Keenum said. "But our offensive line is playing really, really well, and when they play well, our team plays well."

Keenum has also played well in this stretch, and as the Vikings head into their bye, coach Mike Zimmer has some decisions to make. He won't get Cook back this season, but at some point he will have Bradford back.

The bye comes at a good time for Remmers and for wide receiver Stephon Diggs. Diggs played on Sunday after missing two games with a groin injury. He caught four passes for 27 yards, but the extra time off should be a boost for the second half of the season. Diggs leads the Vikings with four touchdown catches.

"Case played very well in the second half," Zimmer said. "Jerick McKinnon had a big day.

"Hopefully I have a (quarterback) decision to make (after the bye). I don't know that yet. We'll have two days of practice next week and another day of practice Monday (Nov. 6). We'll sit down and evaluate things.

"Case has done an unbelievable job. He's done what we've asked him to do. He's kept things rolling. We'll just figure it out as we go. Hopefully I'll have to make a decision."

Keenum was 27 of 43 for 288 yards and two touchdowns against the Browns. He has seven touchdown passes and has thrown only three interceptions this season.

Keenum wisely did not force the ball on Sunday. The Browns covered the Vikings' wide receivers well most of the day, so Keenum was content throwing check-downs.

McKinnon caught six passes for 72 yards. Tight end Kyle Rudolph caught six for 27 yards.