Cleveland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2009 ) Minnesota 34, Cleveland 20

The Cleveland Browns visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday without running back Trent Richardson, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday for a 2014 first-round draft pick on Wednesday. Cleveland was already struggling to produce offense with just 16 points in two games and losing Richardson, who recorded 950 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns as a rookie, gives an offense starting a third-string quarterback even fewer options. Brian Hoyer starts in place of Brandon Weeden, who injured his thumb in last week's loss to Baltimore.

The Vikings are coming off a pair of tough road losses to division rivals and an interconference game against a weak opponent like the Browns might be just what they need in their home opener. Minnesota lost to the Chicago Bears 31-30 on a touchdown in the final seconds last week, overshadowing a 100-yard rushing performance by Adrian Peterson. Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, who was 16-of-30 against Chicago, is reportedly on the hot seat and could lose snaps to backup Matt Cassel unless his play improves.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Vikings -6.5. O/U: 40.5.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-2): Richardson sent a message to Cleveland fans following the trade, telling them not to give up on their team because “they got a program that’s going in the right direction.” Now that the Browns hold two first-round picks in 2014 - expected to be a strong draft year featuring defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and many promising quarterbacks - Richardson may have a point, but Cleveland has been rebuilding for a long time and has just one winning season in the last 10 years. Wideout Josh Gordon, who had 50 catches for a team-high 805 yards last season, returns from a two-game suspension.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (0-2): Rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson returned the opening kickoff against the Bears 105 yards for a touchdown but played just six snaps during the game, something coach Leslie Frazier says will change soon. “[Patterson] definitely deserves to be on the field more,” Frazier told reporters on Monday. “He’s shown that in the few snaps he’s gotten in these first two ball games." Patterson was buried behind Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson and Jarius Wright on Minnesota’s receiver depth chart.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ponder is 88-for-127 passing with five touchdowns and two interceptions in his last four games against AFC opponents.

2. Cleveland signed veteran RB Willis McGahee to replace Richardson. McGahee, who has not played since injuring his knee with the Denver Broncos last season, will join the team pending a physical.

3. Vikings S Harrison Smith has returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his last five home games.

PREDICTION: Vikings 27, Browns 10