LONDON — Everything the Vikings want to do this season felt like it was hanging in the balance on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London when the offense walked back onto the field with 3 minutes, 5 seconds left on the game clock.

As sloppy as they had played for much of the game, the Vikings were getting the ball back with a chance to beat the Cleveland Browns. What followed was a gutsy drive led by veteran quarterback Carson Wentz that could serve as a turning point for this season.

After moving the ball methodically down the field, Wentz worked it into the red zone, then found receiver Jordan Addison for a touchdown that proved to be the difference as the Vikings escaped with a 21-17 win over the Browns.

After forcing a punt to start the game, the Vikings appeared to have something going on their opening drive. A couple of runs here, a couple of quick passes there. But it went sideways when running back Jordan Mason fumbled while fighting for extra yards, stopping any momentum Minnesota had built.

On the next play, the Browns handed the ball to rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who went 32 yards up the right sideline. That set the stage for rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the low red zone and he found rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for a touchdown that make it 7-0.

The response from the Vikings was exactly what they needed.

After watching Wentz complete a few passes, running back Cam Akers took a snap out of the wildcat formation, then threw to tight end Josh Oliver for a a touchdown to make it 7-7.

There was a brief scare from the Vikings shortly before halftime as Wentz appeared to injure his shoulder on a scramble. He was checked out in the blue medical tent, then went to the locker room. As the Vikings were dealing with that on the sideline, the Browns kicked a field goal to make it 10-7 at halftime.

Fortunately for the Vikings, Wentz returned to the game after halftime and led an impressive drive that ended with Mason plunging into the end zone to make  it 14-10.

On the next possession, the Vikings’ defense had no answer for the Browns, who worked the ball down the field before Gabriel found tight end David Njoku for a touchdown that made it 17-14.

With the Vikings in need of a boost, punter Ryan Wright flipped the field with a 77-yard punt. After forcing a punt with the Browns pinned in the shadow of their own goal post, the Vikings got the ball in great field position only to have running back Zavier Scott immediately fumble.

In the end, Wentz made sure those mistakes didn’t cost the Vikings, marching the offense down the field for a touchdown that finalized the score at 21-17.

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